GPX4 and Cognitive impairment: The protective effects of HBO were abolished by coadministration of ML385, confirming the critical role of Nrf2 signaling in mediating its anti-ferroptosis effects.<h4>Conclusion</h4>These findings highlight ferroptosis as a key pathological mechanism in SCI-induced hippocampal damage and suggest that HBO therapy alleviates depressive-like behavior and cognitive impairment by targeting the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway.