Utility of Hypoxic preconditioning in the treatment of Dementia

Physical activity prevents and significantly reduces risks of dementia. Human brain is modifiable into late adulthood. Brain vasculature, neocortex, prefrontal lobes and hippocampus are most affected by dementa and might be especially sensitive to the multimodal interventions. Studies confirm efficacy of physical training in dementia prevention and treatment, whereas multiple obstacles remain unresolved. Overcoming a low compliance to physical exercising, particularly among senior and disabled patients, is crucially important. Benefits of physical exercising and even more, would be achieved without applying exercising routine “per se”, but using instead a particular mode of controlled intermittent oxygenation: The Intermittent Hypoxic - Hyperoxic Training (IHHT) with the help of specialized breathing training equipment. IHHT employs the hypoxic preconditioning phenomenon, which provides alleviation of oxidative stress, suppression of neuroinflammation, as well as stimulation of neuroplasticity and brain tissue regeneration. IHHT induces mitochondrial rejuvenation and attenuates oxidative/ nitrosative stress, stimulates the endogenous coenzyme Q10, activates hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenocortical axis, activates Hsp 70 pathway, stimulates dopaminergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic neurotransmission, balances immune function and boosts production of neurotrophic factors. The initial improvements (behavior, emotional balance, sleep normalization) usually seen during the first three to five IHHT sessions. Improvement of cognitive and executive functions can take weeks to months. The parameters of morphological recovery of brain tissues can be evaluated approximately 12 months after the beginning of the program. To facilitate intrinsic repair pathways, an individualized supplementation and nutritional program is essential. The author published a case study of an elderly female patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia in 2007. The integrative IHHT-based treatment began in 2008, resulting in a stable remission of AD and brain recovery, (functional and morphological) achieved during eight months of continuous treatment. The patient continues a maintenance treatment program at home and shows stable cognitive and executive functionality and enjoys a high quality of life.

Author(s): Arkadi F Prokopov Athletic HighTech S.L. Palma, Spain

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