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Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Research | Volume 4
November 04-05, 2019 | Melbourne, Australia
Neurology and Neurological Disorders
19th International Conference on
J Neurol Neurorehabil Res, Volume 4
The Final Frontier-Repair and Functional Restoration Almost
20 to 30 per cent of the body’s consumption of oxygen
occurs within 3 to 5 per cent of the body mass – the brain
and spinal cord structures. These structures are extremely
sensitive to oxygen deficiency and benefit from oxygen
repletion. The final frontier in the treatment of degenerative
neurovascular disorders is focused on ‘repair and functional
restoration’. This involves the use of neural growth factors
to promote axonal sprouting, activation of idling and non-
functional neurons whilst promoting neovascularisation (new
capillary formation) of the damaged (penumbra) areas.
Cells in a chronic hypoxic state overexpress pro-inflammatory
cytokines including IL1, Il6, IL7, IL8, IL17, TNFa, MMP9, S100B.
The smoldering ‘cytokine storm’ differs for each individual. Over
expressionofpro-inflammatorycytokinesinhibitneuroplasticity
and neurogenesis and promote secondary apoptotic cascades.
The extent of both primary and secondary neurovascular
deterioration can be significantly diminished with HBOT,
which ‘expands the therapeutic window’. “Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy creates a ‘fertile neurovascular platform’ for emerging
stem cell, immunotherapies and nanotechnology techniques.
The impact and success of these and future procedures are
dependent on the integrity of the underlying supporting
neurovascular bed.” (Hooper 2005).
The benefits of HBOT in rehabilitation is well documented.
Hyperbaric tissue oxygenation results in increased blood
flow by fostering the formation of ‘new capillary dynamics’
(neovascularization) into the damaged regions of the body.
Hyperbaric tissue oxygenation accelerates neuroplasticity,
activating damaged and dormant nerve cells (penumbra state).
Increased Oxygenation significantly accelerates the rate of
healing, stabilization and repair through numerous immune
modulatingeffects,providingupregulationofanti-inflammatory
cytokines, including: Granulocyte Macrophage Colony
Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), Interleukin-3 (IL3), Interleukin-4
(IL4), Interleukin-10 (IL10), Interleukin-13 (IL13), Interleukin-21
(IL21), Brain Derived Neural Growth Factors (BDNF, GDNF),
Vascular Growth Factors (VEGF), TGFβ Signaling and IGF1.
From the American Journal Physiology, Heart and Circulatory
Physiology (2005): Stem Cell Mobilization by Hyperbaric
Oxygenation reports a single two hour exposure to HBOT at 2
ATAdoubles circulating CD34+ progenitor stemcells (primordial
cells targeted to salvage and restore damaged structures). At
approximately 40 hours of HBOT, CD34+ cells increase eight-
fold (800 percent). LOKOMAT Robotic Gait AssistedWalking is a
sophisticated exoskeleton technique where the patient is fitted
with a harness, suspended from the wheel chair and strapped
into the exoskeleton. The LOKOMAT kinetic settings can be
varied and specifically adjusted throughout the training session
to “match the specific requirements of the individual”. Some
patients have high level spasticity and others have a complete
lossoftone.Roboticassistedtrainingcanbeconstantlyadjusted
to provide numerous accurate repetitions necessary to restore
activity, especially walking function for neurologic patients.
Improving a patient to the point that he or she no longer
needs a wheelchair to move leads to reducing the economic
burden associated wheel chair-associated complications that
include pressure ulcers, circulatory disorders, osteoporosis and
attendant care. LOKOMAT provides excellent opportunity to
‘best-fit’ a patient’s specific capabilities and capacity to re-train
function. LOKOMAT Gait Training not only improves the gait in
neurological patients, it also positively effects cardiovascular
performance and reductions in spasticity, bone loss and
associated bladder or bowel complications. The combined
benficial effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and LOKOMAT
Gait Training are explored in this presentation.
Speaker Biography
Malcolm R Hooper is the International Executive Director serving both the
Hyperbaric Medicine International (HMI) and the International Hyperbaric
Medical Foundation (IHMF). He is a regular speaker at international
symposiums on the topic of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy applications in the
modern era.
e:
Malcolm R Hooper
OXYMED, Australia
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy combined with (LOKOMAT) robotic
exoskelton assisting Neuroplasticity in Brain and Spinal Cord disabilities