This study examined the metabolic, cognitive, and electrophysiological adaptations to a 48-hour water-only fast in a cohort of adults (n = 10). Blood glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), Trail Making Test A (TMTA) and B (TMTB) performance, and auditory P300 event-related potentials were measured at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours. Glucose decreased progressively from 104.5 ± 10.2 mg/dL at baseline to 69.2 ± 7.9 mg/dL at 48 h (−34%), while BHB rose from 0.27 ± 0.15 mmol/L to 2.73 ± 0.81 mmol/L, indicating robust nutritional ketosis. TMTB completion time improved by 22% over the same period (95.4 ± 12.7 s to 73.2 ± 10.8 s), suggesting enhanced executive function during early ketosis. P300 latency and amplitude remained stable across all time points, indicating preserved cortical processing speed and attentional resource allocation. Exploratory sex-stratified analysis revealed greater ketone elevation in males at 48 h (3.64 ± 0.54 mmol/L) versus females (1.99 ± 0.62 mmol/L), without corresponding differences in cognitive or electrophysiological measures. These findings demonstrate that prolonged fasting elicits a predictable metabolic shift toward ketosis without impairing, and potentially improving executive performance, underscoring the need for further research into the cognitive effects of acute nutritional ketosis.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently results in persistent autonomic dysregulation, often manifesting as sympathetic dominance and attenuated parasympathetic tone. These maladaptive shifts in autonomic balance are linked to impaired neurovascular coupling, heightened systemic inflammation, and hindered cognitive recovery. In this observational study, we evaluated the physiological effects of a multi-modal therapeutic protocol-comprising mild hyperbaric therapy (MHBT), photobiomodulation (PBM), and molecular hydrogen (MH) therapy-on autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in a clinically diverse TBI cohort.
Positron emission tomography (PET) with FDG monitors the enhanced glycolytic activity and increased expression of glucose transporters associated with tumor cells. FDG accumulates in tumors via the same transporters used by glucose. Similarly, once in the cell, the radiotracer is phosphorylated to FDG-6PO4. At this point the handling of FDG differs from glucose. Because of the lack of an oxygen at the 2-position in FDG, it cannot proceed further in glycolysis or glycogen synthesis and becomes a “trapped tracer.” This characteristic of FDG has led to its widespread use for whole-body imaging of patients with cancer. Also, because of the relatively long physical half-life of fluorine-18, it can be distributed to imaging facilities without on-site cyclotrons. In general, the clinical evaluation of glucose metabolism of FDG is based on qualitative inspection or semiquantitative analysis of region-of-interest values or lesion radioactivity normalized to the injected dose and body weight (standard uptake value).
Qualitative inspection focuses on the identification of abnormal regions of increased uptake greater than the background blood pool (as gauged by mediastinal uptake). Semiquantitative analysis has been cited and implemented with variable results because of its reliance on steady-state conditions for glucose uptake and metabolism. Conditions such as blood glucose and insulin levels and the number of transporters on a specific tumor cell(which is not generally known) have a large impact on diseased and nondiseased soft-tissue uptake and should be taken into consideration.
This study investigates the combined effects of multi-modality therapy, including mild hyperbaric therapy (mHBT), photobiomodulation (PBM), and molecular hydrogen therapy (MH), on cognitive rehabilitation in individuals with mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). A total of 15 participants (7 males, 8 females, ages ranging from 20 to 78 years) diagnosed with mild-to-moderate TBI underwent 10 sessions of combined therapy. Cognitive performance was assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests before and after treatment, measuring cognitive processing speed, neural responsiveness, and executive function.
The results demonstrated significant improvements across all metrics, including a 28.3 ms reduction in P300 latency, a 1.2 mV increase in P300 voltage, and reductions in completion times for the Trail-Making Tests A (14 seconds) and B (19 seconds). These findings suggest that multi-modality therapy may enhance cognitive recovery in TBI patients, with notable benefits across age and gender groups. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up is required to validate these results and explore their broader clinical applications.
This case highlights the potential of a non-invasive, multimodal therapeutic approach to address persistent post-concussion symptoms, an area with limited effective interventions. Findings suggest that integrating these therapies into standard rehabilitation protocols may enhance recovery trajectories, particularly for patients with persistent cognitive symptoms. This case report explores the clinical course, treatment efficacy, and the potential for combining these therapies in addressing complex neurological recovery.
A 60-year-old female with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) presented with persistent cognitive deficits and functional limitations following a slip and fall. She underwent a multimodal therapeutic protocol including hyperbaric therapy (HBT), photobiomodulation (PBM), and molecular hydrogen (MH) therapy over 10 sessions. Pre- and post-treatment assessments demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive function and neurophysiological markers, as evidenced by WAVi EEG and Trail Making Test (TMT) results.
This case study examines the therapeutic efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBM), and Molecular Hydrogen Therapy (H2) in a 26-year-old retired soccer athlete with a history of six untreated concussions. The patient presented with cognitive impairments, emotional instability, and physical symptoms. The uniqueness of this case lies in the use of an integrative approach to address long-term post-concussion symptoms, supported by comprehensive assessments. The primary diagnoses included cognitive dysfunction and emotional instability related to post-concussion syndrome. Interventions comprised HBOT, PBM, and H2 therapy, with pre- and post-treatment evaluations conducted using EEG, ANS testing, and GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires. The results revealed significant improvements in cognitive function, as evidenced by increased P300 voltage and enhanced performance on cognitive tests, as well as in emotional stability and autonomic regulation. These findings suggest that an integrative therapeutic approach may be effective in managing chronic post-concussion symptoms, highlighting the potential benefits of combining these therapies in the treatment of complex, long-term post-concussion issues.
leep quality and cognitive function are critical to overall health and daily productivity. Sleep disturbances and cognitive decline are interconnected, creating a cycle that exacerbates both issues. Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) and magnesium L-threonate have been independently studied for their positive effects on sleep and cognitive health. Tart cherry is known to enhance sleep through its high melatonin content, while magnesium L-threonate supports neuroplasticity and cognitive performance. However, the combined effects of these two supplements remain unexplored. Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of tart cherry and magnesium L-threonate supplementation on cognitive function and sleep architecture in healthy adults.
This case report examines the impact of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) on cognitive function and symptom relief in a 35-year-old male presenting with concussive symptoms (CS) following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). The patient underwent 10 mHBOT sessions over five weeks (40 minutes per session at 1.5 ATA with 32% oxygen). Post-treatment assessments revealed significant improvements, including an increase in P300 voltage from 4.2 μV to 9.2 μV, aligning with the normative range of 8 - 21 μV. Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis demonstrated enhanced alpha and theta band activity, reflecting improved cognitive processing and attentional regulation. Clinically, the patient reported reduced headache severity, improved sleep quality, and decreased pain intensity. These findings suggest that mHBOT may support neuroplasticity, mitigate inflammation, and restore cognitive function in patients with CS. Further research, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), is warranted to validate mHBOT’s efficacy and explore its long-term benefits in traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation.
