Why Look At Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy And Fragile X Syndrome?
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition that often involves learning challenges, anxiety, and differences in social behavior. Because these symptoms can be hard to manage and current treatments are limited, researchers are exploring new ways to support brain function and behavior in FXS, including the possible role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and fragile X syndrome in preclinical models.
This study focused on how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might influence anxiety related and social behaviors in a well established mouse model of FXS, known as Fmr1 knockout mice. While it is not a human trial, it offers an early look at how changes in brain oxygen levels could relate to behavior.
Inside The Study: How HBOT Affected Behavior In Mice
Researchers treated Fmr1 knockout mice with HBOT and then evaluated their anxiety and social behaviors using three standard behavioral tests:
- Open field test: HBOT treated mice showed stronger thigmotaxis, which means they stayed closer to the walls and periphery of the arena. This can sometimes be interpreted as anxiety related behavior, although it can also reflect a preference for protected areas.
- Elevated plus maze: In this test, HBOT treated mice spent a higher percentage of distance in the open arms and less in the closed arms compared with control mice. This pattern is usually associated with fewer anxiety related behaviors and greater willingness to explore exposed areas.
- Three chamber social approach test: HBOT mice made more approaches to another mouse, whether it was a familiar mouse or a new stranger mouse. This suggested higher sociability and lower social avoidance compared with controls.
Overall, the HBOT group showed a combination of reduced anxiety related behavior in some tests and increased social interaction in the social tests.
What The Findings Suggest
Taken together, the results indicate that HBOT produced altered anxiety and social behavior in the Fragile X mouse model, with signs of decreased anxiety and increased sociability in key tests. The authors suggest that these behavioral changes mean HBOT could be a potential candidate for future research as a treatment approach for FXS.
However, it is important to remember that these findings come from animals, not people. Mouse studies are a valuable first step, but they do not guarantee similar results in humans. More research, including carefully designed clinical trials, would be needed before HBOT could be considered a real world option for individuals with Fragile X syndrome.
Check out the Pubmed article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32067828/
