Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a Potential Strategy for the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A Review of Recent Research

Abstract — Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, and with the global aging of the population, the number of cases is increasing. Pharmacological therapy is the primary strategy for treating AD, but available medications only alleviate the symptoms of the disease, highlighting the need to explore alternative methods. Recent studies indicate that therapies affecting oxygen metabolism are a promising strategy for treating AD. This study aims to review the latest research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a potential method for preventing and treating AD. A literature search was conducted using the medical databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were retrieved in English, employing the keywords: „Alzheimer's disease”, „hypoxia”, „hyperbaric oxygen therapy”, „neuroprotection”, „cognition”. Hypoxia has been identified as a risk factor for AD, exacerbating the pathological processes underlying the disease. Recent studies suggest that HBOT alleviates brain hypoxia, offering multifaceted beneficial effects on the complex pathology of AD and counteracting the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Additionally, its benefits in treating conditions that contribute to the development of AD have been demonstrated, highlighting its neuroprotective potential. Numerous studies suggest the benefits of using HBOT in patients with AD, and the implementation of this therapy in clinical practice may offer a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of AD.