Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, responsible for 60-70% of cases and currently affecting around 55 million people globally. As the global population ages, this number is expected to reach 152 million by 2050. Early diagnosis is key to managing AD, as it allows for treatments that can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for those in the early stages of the disease. Traditional diagnostic methods focus on clinical observations, such as changes in the hippocampus, a brain region heavily impacted by AD. However, these methods often fail to detect the disease in its earliest stages due to a lack of specific biomarkers and inconsistent diagnostic criteria. Recent advancements in technology, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer new hope for early diagnosis. Researchers have developed a predictive prognostic model (PPM) that uses AI to assess the likelihood and speed at which individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or even those who are cognitively normal may develop AD. This model has shown high accuracy and reliability, surpassing traditional diagnostic methods. By integrating AI, this approach enhances the precision of early detection, enabling more timely intervention and improving patient outcomes. This marks a significant advancement in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

”Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Breakthrough in the Management of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss”Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is defined as sensorineural hearing loss of 30dB or greater over at least three contiguous audiometric frequencies occurring within a 72-hr period. (1) There can be multiple etiologies in patients that develop SSNHL i.e. infectious disease, trauma, neoplastic and vascular. Most of the cases are idiopathic. Some reports found psychological problems such as depression and other lifestyle choice such as drinking and smoking to cause SSNHL by microthrombus development and inner ear arteriosclerosis. (2)One of the ways we can treat SSNHL is by the administration of hyperbaric oxygen. Since that the cochlea and the structures within it i.e. stria vascularis and most importantly, organ of Corti need abundant oxygen supply. Direct vascular supply to the organ of Corti is insignificant. The main oxygen source for these intracochlear tissues is from the perilymph. (3) Hyperbaric oxygen can raise perilymph oxygen levels and can restore hearing in lots of patients with SSNHL. The American Academy of Otolaryngology supports the use of hyperbaric oxygen for period of three months and advises against the use of antiviral thrombolytics, vasodilators, vasoactive drugs, or antioxidants. Intratympanic steroids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be beneficial for individuals who did not respond to the first round of steroids, even up to 10 weeks after the onset of symptoms. It is important to note that while hearing aids can help individuals with SSNHL, there is a matter of expense involved. HBOT is a much cheaper alternative to hearing aids which have to be replaced every three to five years. For individuals with early SSNHL hyperbaric oxygen is particularly effective. (4). A retrospective analysis published by Susannah Sherlock and her colleagues showed promising outcomes in which thirty three percent of the patients showed complete resolutions whereas forty percent of the individuals showed major improvement. (5)In conclusion HBOT has shown promising results as a treatment for SSNHL. As the medical community continues to explore and refine these therapeutic modalities, HBOT stands out as suitable option for improving SSNHL in the affected individual.REFERENCES1. Kuhn M, Heman-Ackah SE, Shaikh JA, Roehm PC. Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Trends Amplif [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2024 Jul 25]; Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC40408292. Xie W, Karpeta N, Tong B, Liu J, Peng H, Li C, et al. Etiological analysis of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a prospective case–control study. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2023 Mar 30 [cited 2024 Jul 25];13(1):5221. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-32085-7\#citeas3. Olex-Zarychta DP. Successful treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss by means of pharmacotherapy combined with early hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Medicine. 2017;4. Murphy-Lavoie HM MM. Hyperbaric Treatment of Sensorineural Hearing Loss [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Jul 25]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459160/5. Sherlock S TKKMPCTA. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a retrospective analysis of outcomes. Diving Hyperb Med [Internet]. 2016[cited 2024 Jul 25]; Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27723017/Conflict of Interest: The author declares that they have no conflict of interestFunding: We received no specific grant from any public, commercial or not-for-profit funding agency.