This is the device used on five actual Alzheimer’s patients. The white pads on the headset contain multiple tiny LEDs (light emitting diodes). But the intranasal insert contains only one diode. The transcranial headset apparatus was used in office, but patients took the intranasal device home for DIY use. All the devices were battery operated and rigged to shut-off after 20 minutes of use. Image Source [1].
by Paul Fassa
Health Impact News
It is well established that, so far, nothing the pharmaceutical industry has concocted has done anything positive for treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS (amyotrophic lateral disease), MLS (multiple sclerosis), strokes, or any other neurological issue.
Pharmaceuticals tend to be ineffective with too many side effects to even promote. Thus, these neurological conditions tend to be categorized as “incurable,” leaving most hopeless. The result is years of mentally-impaired living that’s a burden to everyone involved until death, which some consider “premature.”
Nevertheless, some successful, natural, dietary and vitamin-mineral supplemental methods have been developed that mainstream media ignores and mainstream medicine marginalizes.
They’re not FDA approved, because the FDA only approves pharmaceutical drugs. But most of these natural cures can be applied on a do-it-yourself basis, and the FDA can’t stop that.
Currently, near-infrared light has been discovered to be safe and effective against all sorts of neurological pathologies.
Enter Photobiomodulation Technology for Neurological Disease
The polysyllable term belies this technology’s basic simplicity. It has to do with generating near infra-red ray light and directing to the brain and nervous system from just outside the body.
Near-infrared (NIR) is a narrow light frequency spectrum existing in sunlight at a wavelength of 600 to 1700 nm (nanometers), which makes it invisible to the naked eye.
After much experimentation, it was discovered that around 800 nm (nanometers) was perfect for penetrating brain tissue cells and activating them sufficiently to overcome their demise from damaged mitochondria [2], the producer and storage part of cells that produce the vital cellular energy source known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Experimentation began a decade ago in Australia at the University of Sunderland.
They started by applying the near infrared lights to cold sores and discovered this light spectrum healed that type of sore not by killing any viruses, but by activating cellular energy to heal itself. It was a positive influence that proved safe.
Knowing that near-infrared frequencies can penetrate the skull and access the brain, researchers developed a helmet that would house small infrared lamps focused on the scalp at low power levels sufficient for near-infrared penetration. Heating the skin is not this application’s purpose and should be avoided.
Sunderland University researcher, Dr. Gordon Dougal, stated:
“As we get older, cells stop repairing themselves and we age because our cells lose the desire to regenerate and repair themselves. This ultimately results in cell death and decline of the organ functions, for the brain resulting in memory decay and deterioration in general intellectual performance.
But what if there was a technology that told the cells to repair themselves and that technology was something as simple as a specific wavelength of light? Near-infrared light penetrates human tissues relatively well, even penetrating the human skull, just as sunlight passes through frosted glass. [Emphasis added]
The implications of this research at the University of Sunderland are enormous – so much so that in the future, we could be able to affect and change the rate at which our bodies age.” (Source) [3]
The Sunderland University researchers determined that, at 1072 nm (nanometer) wavelength, infrared light, at low power, improved cognitive faculties or those with mild dementia or impaired memory and cognitive skills lost over time.
They also observed improved memory and cognitive skills among normal humans after 10 to 30 minutes of near infrared exposure daily over several days. But their experiments were not covered or published as a study.
A comprehensive review of several animal (in vivo) studies and lab culture (in vitro) studies from around the world were analyzed by researchers in Sydney, Australia. It was called Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near-Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. The review was undertaken in 2015 and published by Frontiers in NeuroScience journal 2016.
This review concluded:
Although in its infancy, … NIR [near infrared] therapy has the potential to develop into a safe and effective neuroprotective treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (and presumably other neurodegenerative diseases such [as] multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
If NIr was applied at early stages of the disease process, for example at first diagnosis, it could potentially slow further progression by protecting neurons from death. Consequently, over time, the greater neuronal survival would lessen the clinical signs and symptoms. (…)
There is much to do in further developing this treatment, but the therapeutic possibilities are many and the potential outcomes very exciting. We await the outcomes of major clinical trials using NIR therapy on these patients with much anticipation. (Full text review source [4].)
Then Came the Anticipated Human Trial
The results of the human trial were published [1] by the journal Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, in August 2017, as Significant Improvement in Cognition in Mild to Moderately Severe Dementia Cases Treated with Transcranial Plus Intranasal Photobiomodulation: Case Series Report.
The clinical and DIY treatments went on for 12 weeks, after which time they were checked for cognitive abilities while being observed for social skills that were mostly absent prior to treatments during the trial. Better sleep and improved function with fewer angry outbursts, less anxiety, and less wandering were reported. There were no negative side effects.
After four weeks of non-treatment that followed the 12 week period, downturns were reported. One was so bad that the researchers returned the single diode intranasal device to caretakers after only one week without the controlled treatments. Caretakers and family members then reported improvements.
It’s evident that continual treatment may be required for Alzheimer’s patients. But the intranasal device can be used at home safely. The single diode intranasal device is battery operated and shuts off by itself 20 minutes after beginning a treatment.
The researchers concluded:
Results from this small study suggest that transcranial plus intranasal NIR [near infrared] PBM [photobiomodulation] therapy may be safely used with mild to moderately severe dementia and AD. Results showed significant improvement in cognition, functional abilities for daily living, and improved QoL [quality of life].
PBM was very well tolerated, exhibiting no adverse effects. The treatments likely need to be continued, however, on a regular, long-term basis. This suggests the importance of having PBM devices that are amenable to home use for treating dementia and AD. Results suggest that large-scale, controlled studies with homogeneous populations are warranted. [Emphasis added]
Read the full study [1].
The product information video below shows the PBM (photobiomodulation) intranasal VieLight model used in the study just mentioned. It appears at the 2:34 mark of this short video. All of the devices used in the study can be found on Vielight’s website. [5]