hyperbaric oxygen therapy and CMT

[Guest guest]

ka, you might be interested in this.

FROM: http://www.mdausa.org/experts/question.cfm?id=1625

SUBJ (02/01): HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TREATMENT FOR CMT

As a retired RN with Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) disease probably type 2),

I have seen several instances where hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) has been

successfully used for " nontraditional " treatment. I've heard that it may

be helpful for peripheral

neuropathy, but not specifically CMT. I am fully aware that CMT is

genetic and that the actual neurological damage would not be reversed,

but I have wondered if the increased cellular respiration could possibly

lead to a slowing of the progression of CMT, or a decrease in some of

the neuropathic pain symptoms I experience. In many HBOT

treatments the cellular function improves.

Are you aware of any research or single case where HBOT has been tried

with ndividuals with CMT and, if so, what were the results? If not, do

you feel that there is any potential of any positive results from such

treatments? I am seriously considering trying this even if I am a first

case, as I see no potential that if

properly administered under medical supervision that it would exacerbate

CMT, and wonder if it could help. I welcome any information, including

any technical articles that may exist on the subject as well as your

opinions.

REPLY [1] from MDA: E. Shy, M.D., Wayne State University School

of Medicine, Detroit, MI

I am not aware of any cases of CMT which have been treated with

hyperbaric oxygen. I know of no reason, outside of the expense, why such

treatment would be harmful to a patient. However, I would emphasize that

CMT disorders are chronic and it is hard to

imagine how a brief spell in a pressure chamber could provide chronic

support. Moreover, there is no information I am aware of that suggests

there are reduced amounts of oxygen to either neurons or Schwann cells

in inherited neuropathies or other forms of neuropathy.

REPLY [2] from MDA: A. , M.D., MDA Clinic Director, Tulane

University Medical School, New Orleans, LA

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is great for decompression sickness

and to speed the healing of some infections. It appears to me that HBOT

is now in use for all types of illnesses. I do not know of any research

done using HBOT in any type of CMT. I doubt HBOT is helpful for any type

of CMT. However, I also believe it's safe to use. The defects in the

demyelinating types of CMT are in some of the myelin proteins (PMP22 in

1A; P0 myelin in 1B; conexin in CMTX, etc.). Some of the CMT2 types seem

to be due to defects in neurofilament light and medium axonal proteins.

Increasing the oxygenation of the nerves is not going to modify the

genetic defect or modify protein defects. We may need to wait for some

form of gene therapy or gene modification to treat these disorders.

There are medications that control the pain in neuropathies

— you need to consult your neurologist.

REPLY [3] from MDA: F. Chance, M.D., University of Washington,

Seattle, WA

I am not aware of any treatments for CMT that included hyperbaric

oxygen. I'm also not sure how such treatments might help, especially in

the case of those forms in which we know that a defect in a specific

myelin gene causes the problem. In other forms

it would be a best guess situation at best as to whether hyperbaric

oxygen treatment would help.