Autism marked by Brain Inflammation. HBO reduces inflammation!

Autism Marked by Widespread Brain Inflammation

HBOT reduces the inflammation and restores circulation!

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Nov 18 - Brains obtained at autopsy from autism patients show widespread neuroglial activation and inflammation, according to a report in the November 15th online edition of Annals of Neurology.

Despite suggestions that immune dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of autism, the authors explain, neuropathological studies have given little attention to immune and neuroglial activity in autism.

Dr. Carlos A. Pardo from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and colleagues studied brain tissues obtained at autopsy from 11 autistic patients and cerebrospinal fluid from 6 living autistic patients.  Neuropathological examination of autistic brains revealed extensive neuroglial responses, along with patchy loss of neurons in the Purkinje cell layer and granular cell layer of the cerebellum.  "The marked neuroglial activity in the cerebellum is consistent with previous observations that the cerebellum is one focus of pathological abnormalities in morphological and neuroimaging studies of patients with autism," Dr. Pardo commented.  There was, however, no evidence of adaptive immune reactions in autistic brains, the authors report.

Brain tissues from autistic patients showed increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, the results indicate, particularly in the region of the anterior cingulate gyrus. Cytokines originated principally from reactive astrocytes.

Cerebrospinal fluid from living autistic patients showed significant increases in MCP-1, IL-6, IFN-gamma, IL-8, MIP-1beta, and other proinflammatory cytokines and modulatory cytokines.

"These cytokines play important roles in immune mediated processes, and their presence in the CSF in autistic patients may reflect an ongoing stage of inflammatory reactions likely associated with neuroglial activation and/or neuronal injury," Dr. Pardo explained.  "At present, there is no indication for using anti-inflammatory medications in patients with autism," Dr. Pardo cautioned. "There are ongoing experimental studies to examine the effect of drugs that limit the activation of microglia and astrocytes, but their use in humans must await further evidence of their efficacy and safety."

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is known for its ability to dramatically reduce inflammation!

Ann Neurol 2004.

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The Cascade Effect

The Cascade EffectThe Cascade Effect

Torn or damaged tissues release fluids into interstitial spaces, the space between cells, causing edema (swelling). As swelling increases, this causes more pressure on surrounding cells, tissues and blood vessels. As these areas are squeezed from the increase of fluid and from the natural body response to increase inflammation (as a component of “first response” to an injury), more tissues die, more fluids are released and edema increases. As edema increases, there is more potential for this cascade effect to continue, causing more damage. This is especially significant in cerebral edema as injury to the brain is compounded by swelling around the site of the initial injury, and extensive swelling within 48 hours may result in additional long-term disabilities from the destruction of brain tissue. Hyperbaric oxygen reduces edema. Reducing swelling in the brain lowers intracranial pressure and this reduction in edema decreases the cascade effect on compromised tissues, and the oxygen promotes the repair and healing of these areas. Trapped fluid as the result of a disruption in the lymph or circulatory system can be reduced well after the initial trauma took place, which will promote healing to the area.

Certain sports injuries and trauma to the body also are affected by the inflammation response by the body to the injury, as well as from the swelling caused by the damage to the tissues in the affected site. HBOT is proving a useful adjunct in treating trauma to the body. All of this normally happens when the treatment series is over. Normally about 40 hours or more is depending upon the type of injury.