Transcranial Photobiomodulation Treatment Effects in Former Athletes with Repetitive Head Hits

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Concussion (i.e., mild traumatic brain injury) and repetitive sub-concussive head hits are recognized by the sports medicine community and society at large as a major
public health concern. Psychiatric and neurocognitive functioning disruption and sleep disturbance are associated with these injuries. Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) has been
proposed as a non-invasive treatment.

Download the PDF provided by the University of Utah »

 

Red/near-infrared irradiation therapy for treatment of central nervous system injuries and disorders

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Irradiation in the red/near-infrared spectrum (R/NIR, 630–1000 nm) has been used to treat a wide range of clinical conditions, including disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), with several clinical trials currently underway for stroke and macular degeneration. However, R/NIR irradiation therapy (R/NIR-IT) has not been widely adopted in clinical practice for CNS injury or disease for a number of reasons, which include the following. The mechanism/s of action and implications of penetration have not been thoroughly addressed. The large range of treatment intensities, wavelengths and devices that have been assessed make comparisons difficult, and a consensus paradigm for treatment has not yet emerged. Furthermore, the lack of consistent positive outcomes in randomised controlled trials, perhaps due to sub-optimal treatment regimens, has contributed to scepticism. This review provides a balanced précis of outcomes described in the literature regarding treatment modalities and efficacy of R/NIR-IT for injury and disease in the CNS. We have addressed the important issues of specification of treatment parameters, penetration of R/NIR irradiation to CNS tissues and mechanism/s, and provided the necessary detail to demonstrate the potential of R/NIR-IT for the treatment of retinal degeneration, damage to white matter tracts of the CNS, stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

 

Read more on PubMed »

Update on Vielight for Treating Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

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Dr. Lew Lim discusses his new invention – the X-Plus photobiomodulation device and its potential application for symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s. It can be used in conjunction with the Vielight Neuro Gamma device that many listeners of Parkinson’s Recovery Radio have already been using.

Neurons are cells that contain mitochondria. Photobiomodulation energizes neuronal mitochondria, triggering a cascade of beneficial cellular functions. Potential benefits are neuroprotective effects, self-repair mechanisms, and enhanced function.

Vielight’s patented intranasal stimulation technology and microchip LED technology are innovative tools for brain photobiomodulation. Intranasal photobiomodulation is the most efficient method for light energy to reach the brain. Different from electrical and magnetic stimulation, photobiomodulation uses light energy (or photons) of specific wavelengths and power density to simulate cellular function.

 

Listen to the audio on blogtalkradio.com. »

Photobiomodulation Therapies in Parkinsons Disease

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I recently aired fascinating interviews on Parkinson’s Recovery Radio about two different types of photobiomodulation therapies (light therapies) as treatments for Parkinson’s symptoms. I believe light therapies are the medicine of the future, so I am hopeful some of you will try one of these options out so we can get an early reading on their effectiveness. The purpose of this newsletter is to explain the difference between the two devices. One is offered by Vielight https://www.Vielight.com (discussed in my radio show October 4th); the other is offered by Erchonia https://www.erchonia.com (discussed in my radio show October 16th). How are the Two Light Therapy Devices Similar?

 

Read more on About Parkinson’s Disease Blog»

Preclinical Studies of Transcranial Photobiomodulation in the Neurological Diseases

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Photobiomodulation (PBM) takes advantage of red and near-infrared light to induce therapeutic effects on various kinds of diseases, with transcranial PBM (tPBM) attracting most attention on neurological diseases. Displaying a noninvasive superiority over traditional treatment, tPBM is increasingly studied among research groups. Growing numbers of studies have been conducted in the last decade regarding neurological diseases; however, the research objects and lighting parameters among these papers varied from each other. This article introduces the biophotonics nature of PBM, records the experimental parameters of preclinical studies since 2014 and summarizes the application of tPBM on the neurobiological diseases in the past two decades. Under the summarized guidance of parameter setup, tPBM will be shining light in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases.

 

Read more on Translational Biophotonics or download the PDF»

ECAM2021-6693916.008

Effect of Near-Infrared Pulsed Light on the Human Brain Using Electroencephalography

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In our previous study, the low-level laser (LLL) stimulation at the palm with a stimulation frequency of 10 Hz was able to induce significant brain activation in normal subjects. The electroencephalography (EEG) changes caused by the stimulation of light-emitting diode (LED) in normal subjects have not been investigated. This study aimed at identifying the effects of LED stimulation on the human brain using EEG analysis. Moreover, the dosage has been raised 4 times than that in the previous LLL study. The LED array stimulator (6 pcs LEDs, central wavelength 850 nm, output power 30 mW, and operating frequency 10 Hz) was used as the stimulation source. The LED stimulation was found to induce significant variation in alpha activity in the occipital, parietal, and temporal regions of the brain. Compared to the previous low-level laser study, LED has similar effects on EEG in alpha (8-12 Hz) activity. Theta (4-7 Hz) power significantly increased in the posterior head region of the brain. The effect lasted for at least 15 minutes after stimulation ceased. Conversely, beta (13-35 Hz) intensity in the right parietal area increased significantly, and a biphasic dose response has been observed in this study.

 

Read more on National Institutes of Health or download the PDF »

Tug McGraw Foundation-Supported Study Provides Hope for Improving Cognitive Function in Veterans

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A recently published Tug McGraw Foundation-funded study found that the use of red and near-infrared light therapy improved cerebral blood flow and cognitive functions in veterans with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). The landmark study is among the first to demonstrate objective evidence for the reversal of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) deficits in chronic TBI patients. Independent researchers, in collaboration with brain imaging and analytics company CereScan® Corp., used quantitative functional brain imaging and neuropsychological assessments to analyze the therapy’s effectiveness.

Read more at tugmcgraw.org or download the PDF

Improvements in clinical signs of Parkinsons using Photobiomodulation

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Improvements in clinical signs of Parkinson’s disease using photobiomodulation: A prospective proof-of-concept study

Background:

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure and few treatment options. Its incidence is increasing due to aging populations, longer disease duration and potentially as a COVID-19 sequela. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been successfully used in animal models to reduce the signs of PD and to protect dopaminergic neurons.

READ MORE | PDF

Photo courtesy of Massachusetts General Hospital

Let there be light – Study led by Mass. General suggests light therapy is safe and may help patients with moderate brain injury

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Light therapy is safe and has measurable effects in the brain, according to a pioneering study by researchers from the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Senior investigators Rajiv Gupta, director of the Ultra-High Resolution Volume CT Lab at MGH, and Benjamin Vakoc at the Wellman Center led the study, which was supported by a grant from the Department of Defense (DOD) and published in JAMA Network Open Sept. 14.

Read more on The Harvard Gazette or download the PDF»

Photo courtesy of Massachusetts General Hospital

Effect of Transcranial Low-Level Light Therapy vs Sham Therapy Among Patients With Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial

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Abstract and Figures

Importance: Preclinical studies have shown that transcranial near-infrared low-level light therapy (LLLT) administered after traumatic brain injury (TBI) confers a neuroprotective response.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility and safety of LLLT administered acutely after a moderate TBI and the neuroreactivity to LLLT through quantitative magnetic resonance imaging metrics and neurocognitive assessment.

Read more on ResearchGate.net or download the PDF»