113
Photobiomodulation and the aging brain Can near infrared light impact neurodegenerative diseases?
A s our population ages, and Parkinson’s are becoming a primary focus for researchers. The World Health Organisation reports that global life expectancy “increased by more than six years between 2000 and 2019”. healing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s While we know how to heal the body like never before in human history, longer life expectancy is exposing how little we understand about treating the mind. The number of seniors living with neurodegenerative diseases like dementia is projected to double every 20 years. A rise in cases of Parkinson’s disease has some researchers considering it an “epidemic.” The challenge is to live longer and keep all our mental facilities strong until the end. This is one of the reasons research continues on potential treatments such as photobiomodulation (PBM). For over a decade, Vielight Inc. has been pioneering technology that can harness the power of PBM therapy at home. Founded by CEO Dr. Lew Lim, the company’s Vielight Neuro represents one of the most advanced applications of PBM to date. “The Neuro is a near infrared- based device,” explains Peter Adams, Vielight’s VP of Business
Development. “Originally, it was pulsed at 10 Hz and then at 40, and we did some early Alzheimer’s trials with that. Neuro was developed because near infrared is powerful enough to penetrate the brain, but not so powerful where it would burn the skin. It is in that sweet spot. Since then, there have been hundreds of studies using near infrared pulse in the brain.” Research studies The question is what potential this innovation has for the aging mind that suffers from neurodegenerative disease. Ann Liebert, an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, recently had a study utilizing Neuro Gamma 3. Six of 12 participants underwent 12 weeks of PBM therapy, while the others waited 14 weeks before starting the same process. Later, participants received the Vielight device and continued the therapy at home. Liebert et al’s results showed that “measures of mobility, cognition, dynamic balance, and fine motor skill were significantly improved (p <0.05) with PBM treatment for 12 weeks and up to one year.” Amongst the group, individual results varied. “We’ve seen everything from miracles to nothing,” Adams says, citing that more research is needed
Peter Adams VP Business Development, Vielight
peter@vielight.com
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software