Due to intense ATP-consuming processes in the brain, a high level of brain energy supply is
required. A popular hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of
schizophrenia postulates hypofunction of neuronal circuits in the prefrontal and
limbic-temporal areas. An emerging body of data suggests that impaired energy metabolism due
to mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Under normal conditions cellular metabolic rate, i.e. oxygen and glucose consumption,
increases proportionally with any increase in neuronal activity. The impaired energy
metabolism due to mitochondrial dysfunction and frontal lobe hypofunction might be improved
by increasing O2 supply to the brain. Oxygen-enriched air inhalation has been shown to
increase brain oxygen supply. Hyperoxia therapy is a useful tool in the treatment of
neurological and neurotrauma deficits.
We therefore suggest a randomized double blind cross-over study of enriched inspired O2
partial pressure in schizophrenia.
It is surprising given the numerous findings on reduced energy metabolism in schizophrenia
that simple treatment with inspired enriched oxygen has not been studied.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Beersheva Mental Health Center
Collaborator:
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression