Can Light Combat Dementia?

Light Therapy: A Promising Treatment for Degenerative Neurological Disorders

Introduction

Degenerative neurological disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, can significantly affect an individual’s cognitive abilities and overall quality of life. While there is currently no commonly prescribed cure for these conditions, researchers are exploring new treatments that may help slow the conditions’ progression or alleviate specific symptoms.

Light May Heal

One treatment that has shown promise is light therapy. Phototherapy, also called light therapy or photobiomodulation, involves using specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cells in the body. A meta-analysis published in Brain and Behavior in April, 2023, looked at 12 controlled trials and concluded that phototherapy “may be one of the most promising non-pharmacological interventions for improving core symptoms of dementia.”

Improving Cognitive Function

The studies included older adults of all ages with various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s, and mixed type/other causes. Isabella Park, DO, associate medical director and director of geriatrics and palliative care for Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, told The Epoch Times that the study findings suggest that phototherapy can significantly improve cognitive function—including memory, attention, and executive function—in patients with dementia.

Reducing Brain Inflammation

One of the main ways that phototherapy works is by reducing inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is a crucial contributor to many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s. Research based on animal models shows that phototherapy can help reduce brain inflammation, which may slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Improving Mitochondrial Function

Another way that phototherapy may help is by improving mitochondrial function. Mitochondria play a crucial role in the health of brain cells and are considered the “powerhouses” of cells. Studies involving animals have shown that a specific type of phototherapy, known as transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), can help improve mitochondrial function, which may lead to better cognitive function and a slower progression of degenerative neurological disorders.

Bright Light Therapy

Another type of phototherapy studied is bright light therapy, which involves exposing individuals to bright light for a set period each day. While bright light therapy has been primarily studied as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder, one study suggests that it may also help improve cognitive function in individuals with dementia.

Improving Sleep Patterns

According to Yuko Hara, PhD, director of aging and prevention at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, people with dementia often have disruptions in their sleep-wake cycles. “A few small studies have suggested that light exposure or light therapy has benefit for dementia patients by enhancing visual sensory inputs to stimulate specific cells in the hypothalamus that regulate the circadian rhythm,” Hara said. This can also improve sleep patterns for people with dementia. Poor sleep is associated with worse memory in people with dementia.

Conclusion

Although the use of phototherapy for the treatment of degenerative neurological disorders is still relatively new—and the results have been promising—it’s important to remember that more research is needed to fully understand how it can best be used to treat these conditions. While phototherapy may be a viable option for some individuals, it’s essential to weigh the potential benefits and risks, such as possible skin irritation and sleep disturbance if used at the wrong time of day, before making any treatment decisions. The hope is that with continued research and innovation, new treatment options will be developed that improve the lives of people who have degenerative neurological disorders.