The Effects Of Red Light On Parkinsons
Here are some examples of how red light can help with the symptoms and underlying causes of Parkinsons disease.
Stimulation of Cellular Metabolism and Functioning
When red/NIR light photons are absorbed by photoreceptor molecules inside cells, there is an immediate surge in the production of ATP in the mitochondria. This stimulates vasodilation , which increases the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid.
It also leads to increased activity of genes responsible for neurogenesis and synaptogenesis . According to a 2017 study by Australian researcher John Mitrofanis, this chain reaction leads to healthier neurons that can better protect and repair themselves from oxidative stress and other damage. As Mitrofanis writes in the published study:
As it stands, light therapy in the experimental setting has been shown to both protect and rescue neurons from degeneration after parkinsonian injury, something that current therapies in patients do not do.
Red light affects cells not only in the brain but throughout the entire body. Along with being stimulated and energized to perform at their best, cells also become less prone to the degenerative effects of Parkinsons and other disorders.
Direct and Indirect Effects and Neuroprotection
A University of Sydney article explored how transcranial photobiomodulation could positively affect PD patients. The researchers believe that NIR light could have three effects:
Reducing Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Nitrosative Stress
Red And Near Infrared Light
Red and near infrared light have two key properties:
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They penetrate into the body – through skin, fat, muscle and even bone. Other wavelengths cant do this.
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Every cell in our body can respond to the pulse of red or near infrared light. Each cell has a little entity called a mitochondrion – it is basically a battery, responsible for providing energy to fuel the cells activities. In the mitochondrial wall, there are specific proteins that react to red and near infrared light. When red and near infrared light shines, the proteins responses set off a series of chemical changes within and outside the cell. These changes are good ones they all make the cell work better in a variety of ways. When mitochondria meet red and near infrared light, the cell batteries are recharged. This is called the direct effect of red and near infrared light.
The implications of these two properties are profound:
The direct effect is very powerful. Red and near infrared lights on the head result in happier functioning brain cells , new brain cells being generated , new blood vessels sprouting and bringing more oxygen to the cells and as well as acting to reduce inflammation.
Nir For Alzheimer’s Disease
The majority of the studies reporting beneficial effects of NIr treatment in Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have been in transgenic animal models, in particular those displaying -amyloid , or tau pathologies .1). In general, with either acute or more chronic NIr treatment, these studies have reported reductions in -amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, inflammation and oxidative stress, together with increased ATP levels and improved overall mitochondrial function. In addition, NIr reduced the characteristic cognitive deficits associated with the CD1 and APP/PS1 transgenic mouse models. One in vitro study reported that, after internalization of -amyloid into human neuroblastoma cells, NIr treatment increased ATP levels and overall cell number, while reducing -amyloid aggregates .
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+ Can I Leave The Coronet Plugged In To The Power
You can, but it is probably a good idea to turn it off at the wall, or disconnect the Coronet after you have used it.
If you turn off and want to immediately turn on the Coronet, make sure that you wait a few seconds so that the Coronet can discharge from its previous use.
Unplug, count to three, then replug.
Faq Of Photobiomodulation Therapy Helmet:
| Disease |
| 6-12-18-24-30 minutes |
Contraindication
| Weight |
|---|
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Near Infrared Chronic Intracranial Illumination For Neuroprotection In Parkinson’s Disease
Objective/Rationale: The treatment of Parkinsons Disease is based on medication and on surgical procedures. These therapies alleviate symptoms but do not change the evolution of the disease, which is a progressive degeneration of the neurons producing dopamine in the brain. This degeneration is in part due to an abnormal functioning of the mitochondrias that produce energy in these neurons. There is evidence that infrared light can counteract this mitochondrial dysfunction.
Project Description: We will develop a prototype to deliver continuously into patients brains infrared light to slow down the loss of these dopaminergic neurons by improving their mitochondrial function. Human application requires checking the safety of the invented devices in laboratory pre-clinical models. An implantable prototype is being assembled from parts already made by industrial companies for deep brain stimulation. It will be implanted in models to check the safety of the surgical procedure and the long term tolerance of this device. The proof of principle of the therapeutic effect also has to be made. We will implant the device in models rendered parkinsonian by administration of the neurotoxin MPTP and observe the evolution of this parkinsonian syndrome under the effect of this intracranial illumination.
+ How Far Does The Red And Near Infrared Light Penetrate Into The Brain
Its likely that red and near infrared light can shine directly onto the brain cells in the outer two or more centimetres of brain tissue. Thats a lot of brain cells. Research has shown that light penetrates further if the whole head is covered with light.
Here is a graphic from a 2015 research paper, modelling the effect of shining red and near infrared light onto the head. On the right, you can see how far a single light source penetrates into the head. The most penetration is in red, and the blue is the least. Theres a little splodge of red, but not much. Compare this with the graphic on the left where there is light shining all over the head . You can see how much further the light penetrates into the brain.
From: Lan Yue and Mark S. Humayun “Monte Carlo analysis of the enhanced transcranial penetration using distributed near-infrared emitter array,” Journal of Biomedical Optics 20, 088001 .
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+ Does The Coronet Get Hot While It Is Running
The near infrared 810nm LED lights do generate some heat, so the Coronet frame is warmer in the second 12 minutes.
A temperature sensor is in place in the Coronet. If the top of the coronet reaches 50° Celsius, then the micro-controller will automatically reduce power to the LEDs, which will limit the frame temperature to 50°C. When the frame temperature again drops below 50°C, then the LEDs will resume full power. If you closely watch the near infrared 810nm LEDs you might notice that they seem to get dimmer, then a minute or so later, get brighter again. This shows that the temperature sensor is working.
Ethics Approval And Consent To Participate
The study received human research ethics approval by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee . All participants gave written informed consent prior to taking part in the study. All protocols were approved by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee and were conducted in accordance with their regulations and guidelines.
Consent for publication.
Not applicable.
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Diy Helmets Sent Around Australia
The Dorset Community Shed started making its own light bucket helmets last year after hearing of people’s success using the lights.
Mervyn Chilcott said the shed has made 78 buckets since last April and has more on order.
“We start off with a rubbish bin, cut the top off and line it with LED lights that we bring in from China,” he said.
“They’ve gone all over Tasmania and different parts of Australia and they are definitely making a difference in the quality of life.
“They mightn’t be curing Parkinson’s, but they’re certainly giving quality of life to people with Parkinson’s and other people with brain disorders.”
Experts warn red light treatment should not be used without consulting with a health professional first.
And even though it will take time before the results are known, those using the lights said they will keep using them anyway.
“With the work that’s now being done on using light therapy, I think it will open up much broader opportunities and possibilities for the medical profession that haven’t yet been discovered,” Mr Burr said.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction And Parkinsons Diseasenear
- 1Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- 2Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- 3Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- 4Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
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Wearing A Red Light Bucket Hat On Your Head For Parkinsons
One of the most intriguing PD stories of the year has been an unusual fashion trend taking place in Tasmania . Wearing a red light bucket on your head for Parkinsons is literally turning heads in Tasmania.
The treatment is known as . It is experimental and unproven. It does not claim to cure Parkinsons. The people who have been experimenting with this technology claim to see slow and subtle improvements in PD symptoms over time. It is not a double-blind study, and it is possible a placebo effect is responsible for any improvements.
An article on the ABC News Australia website from February 2019 provides a good introduction to a group of people with Parkinsons Disease who are self-experimenting with photobiomodulation as a treatment to ease PD symptoms, and the efforts to turn these experiments into a clinical trial.
Grace Winiecki spends 40 minutes each day with a red light bucket on her head a device she claims is making a significant difference to her life.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-24/clinical-trials-for-wearing-led-helmets-treatment-parkinsons/10836906
Kudos to Grace, as her picture turned PD photobiomodulation into a fashion statement. Dare I say, she became a fashion icon, and the gentleman in this picture was the first of many heads she turned with this bold new look.
Link:
Interesting stuff, but wheres the research?
+ Can I Adjust The Fitting
Once you have set up your Coronet, you can make minor adjustments. But dont be tempted to flatten it out and start again as this will harm the device and may fracture the connections and stop the Coronet working properly. Be gentle with any fitting changes you make, and only make minor adjustments.
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An Overview Of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is often used as an umbrella term that encompasses both red light and near-infrared light. Other terms that are commonly used for this treatment method are photobiomodulation and low-level light therapy .
The major difference between red light and NIR light is the depth to which they can penetrate tissue and bone. Red light can absorb into the bodys tissues up to about 1-2cm . NIR light wavelengths absorb about 4cm .
Red light therapy has been shown in hundreds of clinical studies to have a wide variety of therapeutic effects on the human body. The treatment is administered to bare skin and t forehead via powerful light-emitting diode bulbs.
Light photons are absorbed into the skin and underlying tissue where they interact with mitochondria, the energy factories inside most cells. Mitochondria, in turn, are stimulated to produce adenosine triphosphate , which is the primary fuel for cells. This process is much like photosynthesis, whereby plants absorb energy from the sun to make glucose for their food.
Because of the difference in wavelengths, red light and NIR light are suitable for different types of therapies. Red light soaks into the skin where it stimulates collagen and elastin production, along with forming capillaries and reducing inflammation. Its shorter wavelengths can’t absorb deeper into the body, so its the ideal therapy for chronic skin conditions, hair loss, and for reversing the signs of aging.
How Does Infrared Light Therapy Work And How Can It Help
Red and near infrared light penetrates through the skull and onto the outer part of the brain. The light impulse is absorbed by the cell batteries, the mitochondria, and the cells get active and makes them active again. Thus, the activation of the mitochondria energises the neurons which then starts the flow of energy throughout the body again. This activation of the neural pathways has improvement on movements and mobilities of people with Parkinsons disease. Thus the direct effect of red and near infrared light reduces the severity of Parkinsons disease symptoms.
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+ Which Is More Important The Direct Effect Or The Indirect Effect
Both are equally important. For example in Parkinsons disease, you could treat it by shining light on your left big toe. There will be a small effect on your brain, and your left big toe will enjoy itself. But the effect on your brain will be significantly bigger and better by shining light on your head, as then you give a large number of brain cells a battery boost. This is explained further here.
The head has a lot of blood vessels far more than your left big toe. So shining light on your head is an efficient use of resources. You get the direct effect on all the brain cells in the outer part of the brain, and you recharge a lot of free-range mitochondria happily tootling in the dense clump of blood vessels in the scalp.
Overview And Current Treatment Options For Alzheimer’s And Parkinson’s Disease
Neurodegeneration refers to a progressive death of neurons, by either genetic environmental or currently unknown factors. It includes a range of disorders, with the two most common being Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Over time, as more and more neurons die, the signs and symptoms associated with each disorder worsen, making many routine day-day activities increasingly more difficult for patients . In the sections that follow, the different patterns of neurodegeneration, clinical syndromes and current treatments for each disease will be considered separately.
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+ Are There Parts Of My Head That Should Have More Light
In Parkinson’s, having light on the back of your head – where your head meets the back of your neck seems to be helpful. So tip the Coronet back so that the Coronet’s pig-tail lead is shining right on the low part of your head.
It might be that the front of the Coronet then sits way up your forehead, this is fine.
Could Light Hold The Key To Help Manage Parkinsons Symptoms Or Even Have A Protective Effect On Brain Cells This Blog Explores The Research Evidence And What The Future Might Hold
Light has a huge impact on life from sustaining the plants we eat to allowing us to see, everyone of us is dependent on the power of light.
The power of light has been investigated in many conditions, and although it is still very much an experimental technique, there is research to suggest that light therapy can have protective and restorative properties. There is also evidence that light can alter our sleep, mood and behaviour.
So why is light relevant to Parkinsons?In Parkinsons it is the loss of dopamine producing brain cells that cause both movement symptoms and other symptoms known as non-motor symptoms such as problems sleeping, depression, and loss of motivation.
Research is being done to look at whether treatment using light could offer protection to struggling brain cells to potentially slow down the progression of Parkinsons. And research is also looking into how light, in various forms, could be used to directly manage the symptoms of Parkinsons.
This is a fascinating topic as researchers try to unpick why cells that sit in the middle of the brain, in complete darkness could be protected, or even healed, by light. How do cells in the eye signal to the deepest parts of the brain? Or is it that light is being absorbed by specific components in cells activating and providing energy for the body to promote brain cell survival, protection or regeneration?
Lets explore some of the ways light is being looked at with regard to Parkinsons research.
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Mitochondria Have A Social
The discoveries about mitochondria continue to grow.
A while back, it became clear that many neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinsons and Alzheimers, resulted from the cell batteries, the mitochondria, failing to properly power up the cell. This results in the cell being unable to do its job, for example making dopamine. It also results in the early death of the cell.
In 2019 came the stunning news that mitochondria are nomadic. They pop out of cells, plunge into the bloodstream and whizz around, then get out, metaphorically towel themselves dry and pop back into a different cell possibly in a completely different part of the body.
This ability raised the question of what controls the mitochondrial migration. There must be some signalling system making this happen. One has visions of King Mito barking out orders to mitochondrial minions, who scurry around with their clipboards and spreadsheets
The signalling system is the next big thing for scientists to understand. It offers vast opportunities for potential treatments and prevention strategies.
Now comes the news that mitochondria act like social creatures. The cosy up to each other, fuse together, split apart, and appear to communicate with each other. Absolutely fascinating!
Heres a link to a wonderful article in Qantamagazine. It describes very beautifully the implication of a review paper by Martin Picard and Carmen Sandi, who were the first to describe this new feature of mitochondrial behaviour.