from becoming part of mainstream medicine for neurological diseases is the lack of scientific evidence to support a possible neuroprotective effect of HBO. That is the reason for publishing this book.

This book has four features. First, a basic science section of four chapters to demonstrate the effect of HBO on brain physiology and metabolism as well as pathophysiology. Lacking basic mechanisms for the effect of HBO has been the major hurdle preventing the use of HBO for neurological diseases.

Second, this book emphasizes the potential use of HBO in stroke treatment with three chapters, because stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of long term disability in the nation. Targeting stroke has the potential to take HBO to a new level in future applications.

Third, the experimental application of HBO is discussed with five chapters on traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, and on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There are tremendous debates in these fields and this book will provide a forum for extensive discussions.

Fourth, several FDA approved HBO applications are presented in three chapters on carbon monoxide poisoning and on radiation-induced neurological injury.

Using an old Chinese phrase 'Throwing a piece of rock to attract a gem quality of jade,'  this book is a first effort to bring experts from all over the world in the HBO community to target neurological diseases. We hope this is just a beginning, and that more books on HBO in neurological diseases will be published in the future."