2020 Volume 37 Issue 3 Pages 344-347
Molecular hydrogen (H2) functions as an antioxidant and anti–inflammatory agent. The routes of H2 administration are roughly classified into three types, inhalation of H2 gas, drinking H2–dissolved water, and injection of H2–dissolved saline. This review discusses some of remarkable progress that has been made in the research of H2 use for neurological disorders in animal models and clinical studies. Many studies suggest that administration of H2 is efficacious in the treatments of cerebrovascular diseases including ischemia–reperfusion injury and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Inhalation of H2 gas has a neuroprotective effect comparable to therapeutic hypothermia for brain injury after cardiac arrest. Drinking H2–dissolved water is potentially useful for alleviating neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease and improving the quality of life in senior people. Several of the potential effectors of H2 will also be discussed, including cell signaling molecules that are responsible for preventing oxidative stress and inflammation. Nevertheless, further investigation will be required to determine the direct target molecule of H2.
