Alzeimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurovegetative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, memory loss, and behavioral changes

Recent research suggests that photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level light therapy or phototherapy, shows promise in slowing down or potentially reversing the progression of Alzheimer's disease, although a definitive cure is not yet known.

PBM utilizes low-level light energy to stimulate cellular function and facilitate the healing process. The brain exhibits particular sensitivity to light, and studies have indicated that PBM can enhance brain function by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting the development of new neurons and blood vessels. The following are some of the observed benefits of PBM in relation to the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease:

PBM has demonstrated the ability to decrease amyloid-beta protein levels in the brain, as evidenced by studies published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease in 2020 and 2018.

PBM has also been found to stimulate autophagy in brain cells, facilitating the clearance of amyloid-beta proteins.

Moreover, PBM exhibits neuroprotective properties that safeguard neurons from damage.

Additionally, PBM possesses anti-inflammatory effects that can alleviate brain inflammation.

Furthermore, PBM can enhance the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes improved neuronal function.

It all begins with an idea.

A study conducted by researchers at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory of MIT, led by Li-Huei Tsai, revealed that abnormal gamma waves in mice with Alzheimer's disease can be restored using a distinctive non-invasive method involving flickering or pulsing light.

For further details on this research and a deeper understanding of the scientific principles underlying PBM, you can refer to the following video:

Innovative Therapy and Start Early

In a study conducted by Saltmarche et al. in 2017, a combination of transcranial and intranasal photobiomodulation (PBM) was employed to target specific brain regions associated with Alzheimer's Disease in five patients with mild to moderately severe dementia. Following 12 weeks of active treatment, the patients exhibited noteworthy enhancements in cognitive function, sleep patterns, and behavioral symptoms, without experiencing any adverse side effects.

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may experience improvements in cognitive function, sleep quality, and behavioral symptoms through the application of photobiomodulation therapy. This innovative treatment method utilizes low-level light energy to stimulate cellular function in the brain. Scientific research indicates that photobiomodulation therapy can enhance brain function by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, promoting the growth of new neurons and blood vessels, and mitigating the levels of detrimental proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical studies have demonstrated significant enhancements in cognitive function, sleep patterns, and behavioral symptoms in individuals with Alzheimer's disease who have undergone photobiomodulation therapy. Ongoing research endeavors aim to further investigate the safety and effectiveness of this therapeutic approach for individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease.

References:

Buendía D, Guncay T, Oyanedel M, Lemus M, Weinstein A, Ardiles ÁO, Marcos J, Fernandes A, Zângaro R, Muñoz P. The Transcranial Light Therapy Improves Synaptic Plasticity in the Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Brain Sci. 2022 Sep 21;12(10):1272. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12101272. PMID: 36291206; PMCID: PMC9599908. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9599908/

Lee TL, Ding Z, Chan AS. Can transcranial photobiomodulation improve cognitive function? A systematic review of human studies. Ageing Res Rev. 2023 Jan;83:101786. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101786. Epub 2022 Nov 9. PMID: 36371017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36371017/

Grillo, S. L., Duggett, N. A., Ennaceur, A., & Chazot, P. L. (2013). Non-invasive infra-red therapy (1072 nm) reduces β-amyloid protein levels in the brain of an Alzheimer's disease mouse model, TASTPM. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology, 123, 13–22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23603448/

Monteiro F, Carvalho Ó, Sousa N, Silva FS, Sotiropoulos I. Photobiomodulation and visual stimulation against cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease pathology: A systematic review. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2022 Nov 25;8(1):e12249. doi: 10.1002/trc2.12249. PMID: 36447479; PMCID: PMC9695760. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9695760/

Vrankic M, Vlahinić S, Šverko Z, Markovinović I. EEG-Validated Photobiomodulation Treatment of Dementia-Case Study. Sensors (Basel). 2022 Oct 5;22(19):7555. doi: 10.3390/s22197555. PMID: 36236654; PMCID: PMC9573554. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9573554/

Salehpour F, Khademi M, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation Therapy for Dementia: A Systematic Review of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;83(4):1431-1452. doi: 10.3233/JAD-210029. PMID: 33935090. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33935090/