We're all aware of the (usually subtle) debate out there over whether our dopamine neurons are actually dead or simply sick. I've been a subscriber to the "sick neuron" camp since PD entered our lives, and I still am. Partly because I want to believe they are sick, since that gives hope of recovery, but also because we would not have these episodes of increased functionality (without any change in meds or anything else) if those cells were all actually dead. Many have posted here about suddenly being able to do something that was unheard of before, with no explanation whatsoever.

So, imagine my pleasure when I read that there IS a third category of neuronal existence referred in layman's terms as "idling neurons". Even better, they have been restored by hyperbaric oxygen. Here is a link to some text from the webpage of a provider of hbot in Florida (mostly for children):

"...In the past, it was assumed that brain tissue has two distinct states: Living and functional (healthy) and dead and non-functional (infarct). Based on advances in diagnostic imaging, specifically SPECT scans, we now know that there is a third state called the pneumbra where the tissue is living, but not functional. These have been labeled ‘idling’ neurons. They are receiving enough oxygen to stay alive, but not enough to fire electrically and properly function.

Here is the fantastic news. These idling neurons are recoverable with HBOT. While it is best to get HBOT as soon as possible after a brain injury, even years later, these idling neurons can be recovered...."

This is a really interesting article anyway because it talks about how exquisitely sensitive the brain is to changes in pressure, oxygen deprivation, and inflammation, among others. Here is the link to the site itself if you want to read more:

http://www.chamberofhope.org/?page_id=37

Now, before anyone tells me this is just some outfit hoping to sell a lot of hbot treatments (you know who you are, but we love you anyway) this particular organization offers the hbot treatments FREE (donations are very appreciated, of course). Check out their website. If we lived in Florida, we would have been there yesterday.

I am a big believer in Dr. Peter Jannetta's MVD work (see my posts about this on the forum) and believe the results seen with hbot support his theory. But I guess it doesn't really matter, if hbot helps us, that is the goal.

If you have experience with hbot, or plan to, please share with all of us so we can learn as much as possible We are definitely pursuing this and may even purchase a chamber to use at home since no one in our area offers hbot for PD. Maybe it will help the dog's arthritis, too