Pediatric: Mitochondrial Disease & Dysfunction

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Mitochondrial diseases are long-term, genetic, often inherited disorders that occur when mitochondria fail to produce enough energy for the body to function properly. One in 5,000 individuals has a genetic mitochondrial disease.

Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs when the mitochondria don't work as well as they should due to another disease or condition. Many conditions can lead to secondary mitochondrial dysfunction including Alzheimer's disease, autism, muscular dystrophy, Lou Gehrig's disease, diabetes, cancer & more.

Symptoms of Mitochondrial Disease/Dysfunction: 

• Poor growth
• Loss of muscle coordination, muscle weakness
 
• Neurological problems, including seizures
• Autism spectrum disorder, represented by a variety of ASD characteristics
• Visual and/or hearing problems
• Developmental delays, learning disabilities
• Heart, liver or kidney disease
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as severe constipation
 
• Diabetes
 
• Respiratory disorders
• Increased risk of infection
• Thyroid and/or adrenal dysfunction
• Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system
• Neuropsychological changes or dementia characterized by confusion, disorientation and memory loss

Currently, treatment of both mitochondrial disease and mitochondrial dysfunction is limited to changes in diet/lifestyle and avoiding mitochondrial toxins as much as possible.  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may provide another effective option.

Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:

• Decreased risk of anaerobic infection 
• Reduction in Gastrointestinal Issues 
• Decreased Inflammation
• Enhanced Nutritional Absorption
 
• Enhanced Stem Cell Mobilization & Proliferation
• Reduces Blood Brain Barrier Breakdown 
• Reduce Cerebral Edema
• Minimizes Oxidative Stress
 

Improve overall function with HBOT

• Enhance Cognitive Function 
 
• Lessen Frequency of Seizures
 
• Stimulate Better Eye Contact
 
• Improve Balance & Walking
 
• Enhance Speech & Language 
 
• Alleviate Spasticity
 

StudyHyperbaric oxygen therapy protects against mitochondrial dysfunction an delays onset of motor neuron disease in wobbler mice.  

This study was designed to test the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on (1) mitochondrial functions in young wobbler mice, and (2) the onset and progression of the disease with aging.  HBOT was carried out at 2 atmospheres absolute (2ATA) oxygen for 1h/day for 30days.  Our data suggests that HBOT significantly ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction in the motor cortex and spinal cord and greatly delays the onset of the disease in an animal model of motor neuron disease.

K.R.DaveaR.PradoaR.BustoaA.P.RavalaW.G.BradleyabD.TorbaticM.A.Pérez-pinzónab Neuroscience.  Volume 120, Issue 1.  August 2003, Pages 113-120  

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452203002446

StudyEffects of hyperbaric oxygen on energy production and xanthine oxidase levels in striated muscle tissue of healthy rats.

This study examined the effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) on striated muscle tissue in rats.  HBO was administered daily on weekdays for two hours over four weeks.  The results suggest that HBO treatment induces an increase in ATP levels of muscle tissue with normal mitochondria.  Thus, HBO, might have some beneficial effects in the treatment of heteroplasmic mitochondrial disease, where normal and defective mitochondria coexist.

BülentKurtaYaseminKurtabYıldırımKarslıoğluaTurgutTopalacHüsamettinErdamardAhmetKorkmazacNurtenTürközkandHalilYamanabZekiOdabaşıaeÖmerGünhana  Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.  Volume 15, Issue 4, April 2008, Pages 445-450.  

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967586807000938

To receive the complete study please provide your contact information.

Contact International Hyperbaric Association