The 4th International Symposium for the use of
Hyperbaric Oxygenation in the CP and the Brain Child sponsored by the Ocean
Hyperbaric Neurologic Center and Dr. Richard A. Neubauer MD was held at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale July 28-31st 2004.
This was undoubtedly the most successful conference ever
held on the topic of hyperbaric oxygen, alternative approaches and pediatric
neurology. We hosted about 600
attendees including caregivers, parents, therapist and doctors from around the
world.
Nearly 50 international speakers (mostly MDs) joined us to
share their experience and expertise regarding the positive effects of the use
of oxygen under greater than atmospheric pressure in the treatment of cerebral
palsy and pediatric neurology.
Brief summaries of the presentations follow. A complete book
of the abstracts of all of the presentations is available for $25.00 (including
shipping &handling) by calling our office at 1-800-552-0255. The complete abstracts of the Symposium will
include all addresses, phone numbers and e-mails of the presenting physicians.
Videos will also be available of the entire conference or single presentations
shortly.
Dr. Rashid Buttar, D.O., FAAPM, FACAM, FAAIM
Broken Pathway in
Autism: The Mercury Poisoning of our Children and Their Inability to Detoxify
USA
This talk not only pointed out that the common denominators
in chronic neurodegenerative disease are of decreased vascular supply and/or
accumulation of heavy metals, specifically, mercury. The forward thinking Dr. Buttar has now developed a new and
simple transdermal type of chelation therapy, which is a medical, break through
in the treatment of heavy metal (mercury) toxicity. The relationship between heavy metal and autism, as well as in
much neurologic pathology, including Alzheimer’s disease cannot be overlooked.
Dr. Andrew W. Campbell MD
Medical Director, Center for Immune, Environmental and Toxic
Disorders
Neuro Imaging of the
Brains of Children Chronically Exposed to Toxigenic Molds: The Possible Role of
Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy in Rapid Recovery
USA
This presentation reported the outcomes of neuroimaging of
pediatric chronic exposure to toxigenic molds and mycotoxins and clarified that
hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be useful in rapid recovery of such
patients. He reports that these molds
and toxins have shown to have damaging neurological effects in children and
might be responsible for several neurobehavioral conditions such as attention and
learning deficits and hyperactivity disorders in children. Dr. Campbell also noted the relationship of
vaccination to cerebral palsy and the brain-injured child. He also
states/reiterates that the instance of onset of CP and autism following
vaccination is very possibly related to mercury toxicity.
Dr. Ivan Chavdarov, MD, Ph.D.
The Place of
Hyperbaric Oxygenation in The Treatment Strategy For Children with Cerebral
Palsy and Related Disorders
Bulgaria
Dr. Chavdarov employs a true multi-disciplinary approach to
“CP at risk” and “fixed CP” patients in a very large center in Bulgaria. He uses a variety of approaches specific to
the child’s condition including physio-, logo-, Montessori-therapy, HBO, low
frequency impulse magnetic field, TENS, thermo-, hydro- and drug therapy with
excellent long term follow-up. He also
shows that HBO has an important place in the treatment of children with other
problems such as ADHD, mental retardation, dysphasia and other behavioral
disorders.
Gao Chunjin
Effects of Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy on Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein In Patients with Ischemic
Stroke
China
Although not reporting on a pediatric population Dr. Chunjin
demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygenation had a positive effect in reducing
platelet adherence in patients with ischemic thrombotic stroke. This finding, however, has clear and
positive implications in other neurologic pathologies.
David Denton Davis, M.D
The Bioconversion of
Periodic Table Class VB Elements Into Their Gas Forms as a Possible Cause of
Childhood Death and Neurological Disability
USA
This was an extremely interesting talk and showed clearly
that the cause of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) may be due to heavy metal
poisons (antimony and arsenic) causing toxic mold in a baby’s mattress. This
problem can be avoided with a $10 mattress cover, or ameliorated by HBOT and
chelation.
Jose L. Diaz Barboza, M.D.,
Medical Director, Medicina Hiperbarica de Mexico
Frank J. Morales, M.D.
Arturo Landeros, M.D.
Jose Garibay-Ubay, M.D.
Mexico
Designs of a New
Protocol: The Combination of HBO, Stem Cell Therapy, And the Application of
Omentum For Spinal Cord Injuries
This opens a fascinating new arena for the combination of
HBO and autologous stem cell therapy combined with the very valuable work of
Dr. Harry Goldsmith of carefully overlaying the omentum for spinal cord
injuries. (This is also highly
effective in Alzheimer’s disease and has shown to extensively reduce plaques
and aluminum.)
Giuseppina Feingold, M.D.
Alternative
Approaches to Rehabilitation
USA
This mother of a CP patient is also a pediatrician. She discussed the necessity of alternative
approaches to neuro-rehabilitation for CP and the brain-injured child. Her main themes were Sensory Learning,
intensive suit therapy and integrative manual therapy.
Ignatio Fojgel, M.D.
Physiological Bases,
Indications and Protocols of the Low, Mild and Ultra Low Hyperbaric Treatment
Modalities
Argentina
Dr. Fojgel presents a fascinating discussion of the official
definition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, gradual dosage of the same, as well as
hypobaric medicine and gas concentrations other than 100% oxygen in the
clinical applications of baromedicine.
Besides the above, Dr. Fojgel also revisited his previous talk where he
pointed out the dangers of brain-injured children flying on commercial
airplanes and the atmospheric pressures and oxygen contents at 39,000 feet.
Charles Golden, Ph.D.
Lorie Greene, Zarabeth Golden, Brandon Korman
The Effects of
Hyperbaric Oxygenation on Metabolic and Cognitive Changes in Brain-Injured
Patients
Aging and HBO
USA
Dr. Golden, et al. present controlled neuropsychological
studies that prove strongly supportive of the use of HBOT as a treatment for
lessening the neurological and cognitive impact of chronic brain injury
indicating that HBOT can be an effective aid in ameliorating the
neuropsychological and physiological effects of a type of brain injury
heretofore believed to be untreatable.
Harry S. Goldsmith, M.D.
Omentum Transposition
in the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
USA
Omental transposition involves the elongation and placement
of the omentum (a specialized membranous tissue located in the abdominal
cavity) directly on the surface of the brain.
Although hyperbaric oxygenation has the ability to increase cerebral
blood flow, there is a limit to the volume of CBF that HBO treatment can
deliver which can be enhanced by omental transposition. Omental transposition has been confirmed by
5-year follow up to significantly increase the blood flow to the brain on a
yearly basis. A study of the effects of
HBO and omental transposition is proposed
SHELDON F. GOTTLIEB,
PhD.
Hyperbaric Oxygen
Delivery Systems
USA
Dr. Gottlieb pointed out the various methods of the
administration of hyperbaric oxygenation, explaining the differences,
similarities, pros and cons of the multi-place chamber vs. the monoplace
chamber. He briefly touched on the
subject of the new, as yet unproven, portable hyperbaric chambers.
WILLIAM M. HAMMESFAHR,
M.D.
Brain Injury,
Cerebral Palsy, and Autism: Using Medications to Improve Blood Flow to the
Injury
USA
Dr. Hammesfahr’s careful use of vasodilators and his
excellent results have resulted in a proposal for Nobel Prize nomination. This is extremely important information and
its applications are synergistic with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
PAUL G. HARCH, M.D.
Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy in the Treatment of Autism
USA
This was a very interesting talk on the correlation of
three-dimensional reconstruction of SPECT brain imaging to the clinical status
and the positive effects of hyperbaric oxygen in the autistic child. Five cases were selected for presentation
suggesting an underlying pathophysiological process in chronic neurological
conditions and the generic, drug like response to low pressure HBOT.
EDUARDO J. HERNANDEZ,
M.D., F.A.A.P.
Children’s
International Group HBO Experience
USA
Dr. Hernandez has been on nationwide television because of
his excellent work in the use of hyperbaric oxygenation in a terminal case of
acute meningeal meningitis whereby no other therapy would have been effective
or available. Here he has presented the
group’s experience with 23 children with catastrophic brain injury showing
dramatic improvement with HBO.
GUNNAR HEUSER, M.D.
Neuromed and Neurotox
Association
O. AGUILERA
Mild HBO Treatment as
an Immune Modulator
USA
Dr. Gunnar Heuser stressed the use of hyperbaric oxygenation
and its effect on the immune system in patients with toxic chemical exposure -
a most important observation.
PHILIP B. JAMES, M.B.,
Ch.B., D.I.H., Ph.D., F.F.O.M.
Professor of
Hyperbaric Medicine
The Scientific Basis
of Brain Repair
Scotland
Dr. James provided unequivocal evidence that stem cells from
bone marrow can migrate from the circulation across the blood-brain barrier
into the tissues of the brain and gave great detail as to the delivery of
oxygen hyperbarically to enhance ATP production in the cells for recovery. He also spoke of the critical fallacy of
retrolentil fibroplasias in the pediatric population that was expounded upon for
years - a tragedy.
NATALIA V. KAZANTSEVA,
M.D.
Mechanisms of Action
of Surplus Pressure in Barochamber in Treatment of Neurodegenerations
Russia
Dr. Kazantzeva pointed
out the remarkable changes that take place in neurodegenerations with pressures
as low as 1.0 in combination with cyclosporine A. This opens up a whole field.
Investigations are continuing not only in the brain-injured child, but
also in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS and
stroke.
DANIEL J. LACEY, M.D.,
Ph.D.
Doctor, Why Does My
Child Have Cerebral Palsy?
USA
Dr. Lacey pointed out that cerebral palsy is purely a
“wastebasket” term. The etiology may
encompass many, many factors. CP may be
near drowning, shaken baby syndrome as well as the prenatal and post-natal
causes; including early exposure in utero to toxins, infections, and
“programming defects” (e.g., chromosomal, enzyme deficiencies) which cause
interruption of the normal early development of the brain, causing a permanent
alteration in muscle tone.
PIERRE MAROIS, M.D.,
F.R.C.P.)(C)
MICHEL VANESSE, M.D.,
F.R.C.P.(C)
HBO in the Treatment
of Chronic Neurological Conditions in Children: A Longitudinal Study
Canada
Dr. Marois originally participated in a break-through study
showing the positive effects not only of 1.75 ATA of hyperbaric oxygenation,
but also, a good result in the “so-called” control of 1.35 air. There was a significant difference in the
rapidity and the severity responses at the higher dose of 100% oxygen, but the
fact that the pressurized air was of some avail was noteworthy. Here he presents the results in over 100
children treated with 1.5 ATA, 100% oxygen with significant improvement in
gross motor function (>65%) and >80% in other areas such as cognition, communication,
fine motor abilities, and play. He also
presents children with other types of neurological conditions including autism,
Down’s syndrome, developmental delays, traumatic brain injury, etc. with
persistent positive changes following treatment with HBO.
WILLIAM S. MAXFIELD,
M.D., FACNM
The Importance of
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Methods of Documenting Response
USA & Canada
Dr. Maxfield discusses the use of SPECT brain scan to
document the pattern of brain function and neurological response to hyperbaric
oxygen, and discusses some of the problems with interpretation of the
same. He also discusses PET scanning,
the development of a tracer to diagnose early Alzheimer’s and MRI spectroscopy
for MS and other neurological conditions.
He also advocates the simple use of still pictures and videotaping as
documentation of response to HBOT, providing exemplary cases.
WILLIAM S. MAXFIELD,
M.D., FACNM
Hyperbaric Medicine
as Supportive Therapy in Oncology
USA
Hyperbaric oxygen as a supportive therapy in oncology opens
up a whole new branch, which was also elucidated upon by Dr. Shantha.
Dr. Maxfield discusses the benefits of HBO in the morbidity of chemotherapy
extravasation and the treatment of anemia of cancer synergistically with
erythoropoietin. Hyperbaric oxygenation
is routinely used in Japan prior to radiation for brain tumors with a 50%
increase in survival and is used in other countries to enhance the
effectiveness of chemotherapy.
FRANK J. MORALES,
M.D., N.M.D.,C.N.S.
JOSE L. BARBOZA, M.D.
GERARDO DIAZ BAUTISTA,
M.D.
HBO and Heavy Metal
Detoxification in Muscular Dystrophy: An Ongoing Study
USA & Mexico
Dr. Morales demonstrates the high incidence of heavy metal
toxicity in MD, and that when treated appropriately will show the increased
beneficial effects of HBOT when specialized heavy metal chelates are utilized
in an appropriate protocol. He
concludes that the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Duchenne dystrophy and
other autoimmune and degenerative disorders is certainly establishing precedent,
due to its notable and beneficial effects. Although this was just one study, it
is referable to many cases of Duchenne
muscular dystrophy..
ARUN MUKHERJEE, M.D.
TARUN SAHNI
Update on the Ongoing
“UDAAN” Multimode, Including Hyperbaric Oxygenation and Early Medical
Intervention Therapy for Small Children with Moderate to Severe Cerebral Palsy
India
This was an excellent controlled study comparing standard
intensive therapy to the same plus adjuvant therapy with HBOT plus CP-specific
acupuncture, ayurvedic neuro-resotative therapy and nerve block (where
required),. Dr. Mukherjee compared
their long-term results to the shorter CP/HBO studies done in Canada and showed
that the long-term persistent results are extremely important. Many of the HBOT group children achieved ADL
within one-half to one year.
GEORGE MYCHASKIW II,
D.O.
HBO in Acute
Neurologic Injury: Current Investigations
USA
Dr. Mychaskiw indicated that actually in CP/brain injured
child or any type of acute ischemia, cerebral edema, with increased lactate
that it is essential to use hyperbaric oxygenation as soon as possible when
available. He also focused on the
therapeutic windows of HBO in brain injuries and the potential mechanisms of
HBO in neuroprotection and explored the discrepancies of experimental and
clinical observations.
RICHARD A. NEUBAUER,
M.D.
Hyperbaric
Oxygenation – An Overview
A Brief Introduction
to Genetics as it Applies to the Use of Hyperbaric Oxygenation in Mitochondrial
Diseases
USA
This was first presentation ever of the highly positive
results of the use of hyperbaric oxygenation in mitochondrial cytopahies,
opening up a whole new frontier for the field of HBO for investigation of
errors of inborn metabolism and genetic disease.
LEAH NOF, Ph.D.,
M.S.,P.T.
REBECCA ROSENTHAL,
J.D., M.S., P.T.
Benefits of Body
Weight Support Treadmill Gait training for Children and Adults with
Neurological Pathology
USA
Dr. Nof stressed the profound importance of appropriate gait
training and muscle utilization. Ray Cralle, physical therapy, Delray Beach,
FL, also spoke of these insights. They
stressed the importance of appropriate PT, OT in the child with cerebral palsy
and the marked reduction of spasticity that occurs with therapy alone. However, when combined with hyperbaric
oxygenation, they stressed, the results were compounded.
EFRAIN OLSZEWER
Stroke Pathology
using HBO and EDTA Chelation Therapy Between the Beginning until the Sixth
Month of Pathology
Brazil
Dr. Olszewer is one of the leaders of the “orthomolecular”
movement, as non-conventional medicine is in called Brazil, he was one of the
groundbreaking doctors in the use of DMSO for arthritis. He now combines EDTA, a chelation therapy
known to remove lead (heavy metal toxicity) and which has been shown to improve
circulation by de-calcifying the arteries in the treatment of stroke
patients. He reports, as well on his
results in a three-year follow-up of hyperbaric oxygen in cerebral palsy
demonstrating the persistence of the improvements without further hyperbaric
oxygen treatments, although reporting slightly better results using one week
each month maintenance.
E. CUAUHTEMOC SANCHEZ,
M.D.
Pathophysiology of
Acute Hypoxic Brain Injury: Role of HBO as a Neuroprotector
Mexico
Dr. Sanchez now has long term follow-up on neonates taken
from the delivery room directly to the hyperbaric chamber showing that one hour
of hyperbaric oxygenation is capable of turning a child’s life around with
early neuroprotection. He stressed that
the sooner the intervention, the better, to interrupt the inflammatory cascade
of neuronal damage that depends on the mitochondrial capability of maintaining
ATP production. Among other findings,
his results prove that HBO can positively modify tissue levels of ATP.
T.R. SHANTHA, M.D.,
Ph.D., F.A.C.A., D.A.B.A., D.A.P.A.P., EX.FZS, F.R.M.S.
Oxygen Therapies:
Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO-HBA), Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2),
and Ozone (O3) Therapies to Treat Cancers and Other Diseases
USA
Dr. Shantha presented an excellent multi-disciplinary
approach to cancer, a disease that is so frequently looked upon with such a
frightening and pessimistic outlook in the United States. The primary focus of the approach is based
on the oxidative therapies, with the main protocol encompassing and focusing
upon hyperbaric oxygen. As the early
work of Dr. Koch, who was ultimately condemned by the FDA, and the research
resulting in the 1930’s Nobel prize to Otto Warburg both showing that cancer
was a result of impaired oxidation processes, the results from Dr. Shantha, may
once again revolutionize cancer treatments.
DAVID A. STEENBLOCK,
M.S., D.O.
A Pilot Study of
Umbilical Cord Derived Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
USA
Dr. Steenblock presents the results of seven cerebral palsy
patients treated with umbilical cord-derived stem cells showing slight to moderate
improvements within the first month post-treatment in a variety of functions
even in subjects where other therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen had reached
a plateau in terms of clinical benefit.
KENNETH STOLLER,
M.D.,F.A.A.P.
Quantification of Neurocognitive
Changes Before and After Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in a Child with Cerebral
Palsy
USA
This was an excellent review of the neurocognitive changes
before and after hyperbaric oxygenation in a child with CP. The fact that this has such a profound
effect on many of the patients’ cognitive function is an important
observation. He found significant
improvements in seven modules of computer-administered test battery including
memory, reaction time and visual-motor speed outcome measurements. H concludes that hyperbaric oxygenation
should be the treatment of choice in all cases of cerebral palsy even in
treatment is delayed by years.
J. MICHAEL USZLER,
M.D.
The Present and Near
Future of Functional Imaging of Brain “Injury”
USA
Dr. Uszler, again presented substantiation of non-invasive
brain imaging with SPECT and PET to document the effects of hyperbaric
oxygenation. Dr. Uszler also brought up
a new technique calling for co-registration whereby the SPECT scan may be
overlaid on the MRI for a much more complete analysis of its function. He also spoke of a forthcoming technology
called fMRI, which is being developed and analyzed in its ability to contribute
brain function information.
HANSDETLEF WASSMANN,
M.D.
B. FISCHER, E.J.
SPECKMANN, C. GREINER, J. WOLFER
HBO in Cerebral
Hypoxic Lesions Caused by Cerebrovascular Obstructions: Experimental and
Clinical Investigations
Germany
Dr. Wassmann from Germany was the first to show the proper
dose of hyperbaric oxygenation to be from 1.25-1.5 ATA 100% oxygen. In his definitive studies on cerebral
energetics in the 1980s he clearly demonstrated that approaching 2 ATA in the
injured brain was ineffective for brain repair and quite possibly deleterious. His experimental studies presented here
give evidence that cerebral ischemia is better tolerated under HBO, and
revealed this as a safe and adjuvant therapeutic method in the treatment of
“cerebral energy crisis”.
JOHN H. ZHANG, M.D.
JOHN W. CALVERT, M.D.
Transient Exposure to
HBO is a Safe and Effective Therapy for Neonates: Experimental Evidences
USA
Dr. Zhang noted that one of the major effects of HBO at a
molecular level is its anti-apoptotic (programmed cell death) action which
saves the dying cells and restores their physiological functions, thus again
stressing that the earlier the exposure of neonates to hyperbaric oxygenation,
the better the results. He also
demonstrated a brain weight preservation effect of HBO and a prevention of DNA
fragmentation. This was shown in the
experimental animal. Again, Dr. Zhang
ruled out the fallacy of retrolentil fibroplasia finding of no signs of
neovascularization, abnormalities in structure of the retina or changes in
protein expression after hyperoxia exposure.
LI ZHUO, M.D.
Clinical Analysis of
Two Hundred and Forty-Four Inpatients with ACOP
China
The fact that the United States does not cover this with any
type of insurance may prove to look very embarrassing by the hundred’s of cases
that are successfully treated in China.
They have had records for a number of years. The other thing noted by Dr. Zhuo was that the hospitalization
time is significantly cut down with the addition of hyperbaric oxygenation to
the therapy.
