Hydrogen Gas Inhalation Improves Memory in Alzheimer's Patients
- Authors
- Hirohisa Ono, Yoji Nishijima, Shigeo Ohta
- Journal
- Pharmaceuticals
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3390/ph16030434
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Inhaling hydrogen gas improved memory and brain health in Alzheimer's patients over a six-month treatment period, with some lasting effects observed up to a year.
Key Finding
Eight Alzheimer's disease patients who inhaled 3% hydrogen gas twice daily for 6 months showed significant cognitive improvement and restored nerve fiber integrity in the hippocampus, with benefits sustained during the 1-year follow-up period.
Summary
This small pilot study followed 8 Alzheimer's disease patients who inhaled 3% hydrogen gas for one hour twice daily for 6 months, then were monitored for another year without the gas. Researchers measured cognitive function using a standard Alzheimer's test and used advanced brain imaging to assess nerve fiber integrity in a memory-related brain region. After 6 months of hydrogen inhalation, patients showed cognitive improvement, while untreated comparison data suggested decline; brain imaging also showed improved nerve fiber structure that was largely maintained during follow-up.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage pilot study in a very small group suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may warrant further investigation for Alzheimer's disease, but the lack of a control group, small sample size, and open-label design (where participants knew they were receiving treatment) limit what can be concluded. Larger, well-controlled clinical trials would be needed before hydrogen gas could be considered a proven treatment option.
Abstract
(1) Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Hydrogen gas (H2) is a therapeutic medical gas with multiple functions such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-cell death, and the stimulation of energy metabolism. To develop a disease-modifying treatment for AD through multifactorial mechanisms, an open label pilot study on H2 treatment was conducted. (2) Methods: Eight patients with AD inhaled 3% H2 gas for one hour twice daily for 6 months and then followed for 1 year without inhaling H2 gas. The patients were clinically assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). To objectively assess the neuron integrity, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to neuron bundles passing through the hippocampus. (3) Results: The mean individual ADAS-cog change showed significant improvement after 6 months of H2 treatment (-4.1) vs. untreated patients (+2.6). As assessed by DTI, H2 treatment significantly improved the integrity of neurons passing through the hippocampus vs. the initial stage. The improvement by ADAS-cog and DTI assessments were maintained during the follow-up after 6 months (significantly) or 1 year (non-significantly). (4) Conclusions: This study suggests that H2 treatment not only relieves temporary symptoms, but also has disease-modifying effects, despite its limitations.