In a breakthrough trial procedure, the effects of Alzheimer’s disease were reversed when scientists pinpointed light rays to the areas of the brain affected by the disorder.
Trials are going on an LED headset that focuses pulsating gamma rays to the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory.
The researchers say that doing so will increase the efficiency of mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cells, making it possible for the cells to remove the toxic chemicals from the brain cells that cause memory loss.
The new method of treatment is under a 12-week trial now, after the positive results of three-month-long sessions. In these sessions, the patients regained their lost memories and started reading and writing again.
Alzheimer’s is currently an incurable disease, and this research is the closest we’ve ever got to cure it.
It makes the new method of treatment a ray of hope for more than eight million British and six million US sufferers of the disorder.
The Neuro RX Gamma headset that is under trial for the cure of Alzheimer’s was developed by Vielight, a Canadian biotech company.
The treatment procedure includes wearing the headset as well as a nose clip that comes with it for 20 minutes daily. Both the headset and the nose clip channel light to the affected areas of the brain.
Light promotes the process of photobiomodulation, which boosts the activity of the mitochondria, giving the cells the energy they need.
The process activates the microglia cells of the brain which help the patient recover from the disease.
Alzheimer’s causes these cells to become inactive causing a plaque, known as Amyloid Plaque, to build up, ultimately hindering normal brain functioning.
The brain cells are progressively damaged by the buildup of this plaque.
Dr. Lew Lim, the creator of Neuro RX Headset, told the Telegraph: “Photobiomodulation introduces the therapeutic effect of light into our brain.
“It triggers the body to restore its natural balance or homeostasis. When we do that, we call upon the body’s innate ability to heal.
“Based on early data, we are confident of seeing some measure of recovery in the symptoms not just a slowdown in the rate of decline, even in moderate to severe cases.”
Currently, the University of Toronto is running a trial on 228 people from eight states across the US and Canada.
The researchers will give half of the test subjects a 20-minute dose of the light every day while the other half will receive a placebo.
Prior to testing, a safety trial was run on five people who had mild to severe dementia and no negative effects were noted.
In those people, the researchers observed better sleep, improved cognition, fewer episodes of angry outbursts and less anxiety. Their memory also improved as a result of the treatment.
Their brain scans also showed better connectivity among the brain cells and improved blood flow.
Light is already being used to treat traumatic brain injuries and Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression that comes and goes in seasonal episodes.
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