Cerebral metabolism after one hyperbaric oxygenation session: ¹H and ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Abstract The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of one HBO session on the concentrations of metabolites detectible by 1H and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. An activation of energy metabolism that manifested in the decrease of creatinephosphate (PCr), pHint and increase α-ATP signal after a HBO session is revealed. Other ATP resonances remain unchanged. Also the reduction of N-acetyl aspartate by 3% in mediolateral prefrontal cortex (MPFC) with p<0.05 and in posterior cingulate cortex (p<0.1) was found. Glutamate levels remained unchanged after HBO session. The demonstrated metabolic changes may signify the activation of power supply processes in order to compensate the energy expenses caused by the excess of O2.