HBOT, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Mental Retardation

A more recent study showed good benefit in treatment of fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most common nonhereditary cause of mental retardation, with deficits in general intellectual functioning, learning, memory, attention, and problem-solving.

After 40 hyperbaric treatments at 1.5 ATA, a 15-year old patient's performance in 6 of 6 categories of the computer-administered test battery improved. Word composite (verbal) scores improved from 55% to 73%, memory composite (visual) scores improved from 38% to 55%, reaction time composites improved from 1.03 to 0.53 seconds, impulse control composite scores improved from 8 to 5, and visual motor speed scores improved from 18.6 to 19.03. The patient's subjective symptoms diminished 94%.

Six months after these treatments, the patient's verbal memory was maintained at 73% without any other interventions; impulsivity continued to improve, whereas other indices did not. Thirty-three additional treatments continued to improve test performance, with verbal memory at 95%, visual memory at 57%, and a 100% reduction of subjective symptoms. This patient with 15-year-matured FAS, benefited from a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, sustained durable cognitive improvements, and continued to exhibit further improvement following an additional 33 treatments.

Stoller KP. Quantification of neurocognitive changes before, during, and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a case of fetal alcohol syndrome. Pediatrics. 2005 Oct;116(4):e586-91. Epub 2005 Sep 15

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