VA study with 160 Gulf War Veterans will test red, near-infrared light
Following up on promising results from pilot work, researchers at the VA Boston Healthcare System are testing the effects of light therapy on brain function in Veterans with Gulf War Illness.
Veterans in the study wear a helmet lined with light-emitting diodes that apply red and near-infrared light to the scalp. They also have diodes placed in their nostrils, to deliver photons to the deeper parts of the brain.
The light is painless and generates no heat. A treatment takes about 30 minutes.
The therapy, though still considered “investigational” and not covered by most health insurance plans, is already used by some alternative medicine practitioners to treat wounds and pain. The light from the diodes has been shown to boost the output of nitric oxide near where the LEDs are placed, which improves blood flow in that location.
“We are applying a technology that’s been around for a while,” says lead investigator Dr. Margaret Naeser, “but it’s always been used on the body, for wound healing and to treat muscle aches and pains, and joint problems. We’re starting to use it on the brain.”
Naeser is a research linguist and speech pathologist for the Boston VA, and a research professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). She is also a licensed acupuncturist and has conducted past research on laser acupuncture to treat paralysis in stroke, and pain in carpal tunnel syndrome.
How do the diodes work?
The LED therapy increases blood flow in the brain, as shown on MRI scans. It also appears to have an effect on damaged brain cells, specifically on their mitochondria. These are bean-shaped subunits within the cell that put out energy in the form of a chemical known as ATP. The red and near-infrared light photons penetrate through the skull and into brain cells and spur the mitochondria to produce more ATP. That can mean clearer, sharper thinking, says Naeser.
Naeser says brain damage caused by explosions, or exposure to pesticides or other neurotoxins—such as in the Gulf War—could impair the mitochondria in cells. She believes light therapy can be a valuable adjunct to standard cognitive rehabilitation, which typically involves “exercising” the brain in various ways to take advantage of brain plasticity and forge new neural networks.
Read more:Â Can light therapy help the brain?
The Latest on: Light therapy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Light therapy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Light therapy
- Exploring the Health Benefits of Red Light Therapy: Insights from Allegra Wellness Spa Owner Jean Pierre Velezon May 9, 2024 at 8:26 am
BLOOM (TAMPA) – Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is gaining attention for its potential health benefits across a variety of conditions. Recent research suggests that this therapy ...
- Sabrina Carpenter’s Met Gala Skin Prep Included the Therapy Wand Reese Witherspoon Loveson May 8, 2024 at 2:27 am
Supergoop Sunscreen Appears in Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ Video — Shop Now Like the name implies, the Solawave 4-in-1 red light therapy wand has four uses all in one device, claiming to reduce the ...
- What Does Red Light Therapy Do?on May 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it. Recent studies suggest red light therapy (or RLT) may help enhance the appearance of the skin, managing pain, ...
- Researchers hit ‘milestone’ in light therapy for spinal cord injury studyon May 7, 2024 at 6:59 am
Published in the journal Bioengineering and Translational Medicine, the team’s research indicates there is an optimal ‘dose’ for the therapeutic approach, and that it can realise therapeutic ...
- Spinal red-light therapy protects and regenerates damaged nerve cellson May 6, 2024 at 11:15 pm
Directly applying red-light therapy to a damaged spinal cord protects and regenerates nerve cells, leading to a return of motor and sensory function, according to new research. The treatment could ...
- Red light therapy for repairing spinal cord injury passes milestoneon May 6, 2024 at 7:01 am
The researchers also investigated the effect of light therapy in preclinical models of SCI. Here they used two different methods, an implantable device and transcutaneous delivery, where the light ...
- Red Light Therapy Masks Are Soaring in Popularity, but How Do They Work?on May 3, 2024 at 8:30 am
Red and blue light therapy can help reduce wrinkles and acne. I spoke to a dermatologist and donned a few masks to test their efficacy.
- Dear Doctor: Can red light therapy help with burning sensations in the feet?on May 2, 2024 at 11:00 pm
the difference between the actual red-light device and the red light bulb wasn’t significant. Being a conservative doctor, I won’t recommend this therapy unless there is clear evidence of benefit from ...
- Red light therapy could help prevent skin canceron April 25, 2024 at 3:24 pm
Known on the internet for its cosmetic benefits, a South Florida doctor says red light therapy helped her beat and recover from skin cancer.
- This Hollywood-Used Skincare Brand Just Dropped a New Red Light Therapy Tool — and Surprise, It’s Not for the Faceon April 25, 2024 at 8:00 am
Solawave just launched a new skincare tool targeting the neck and chest area. The rejuvenating mask uses red light therapy and near-infrared light therapy, and it’s on sale now for Mother’s Day. The ...
via Bing News