Has anybody heard or tried this home based treatment called “Vielight Neuro Gamma”?

https://www.seeker.com/led-light-therapy-could-radically-change-the-treatment-of-brain-diseas-2294712527.html

It will be interesting to see how well this works.  The best part of this treatment from a scientific perspective is the following:

In conclusion, PBM [photobiomodulation] exerted a pro-survival action through selectively activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and suppressing GSK3β/Bax pathway.

The phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt pathway is damaged in Alzheimer's disease.  This is the pathway that increases blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain, increases glucose transport in the brain (and thus increases energy production in the brain), leads to the regeneration of neurons and synapses, reduces the death of neurons, and improves neurotransmissions.  So maybe certain forms of light therapy will have some positive effect in the treatment of Alzheiemer's disease.

Here's a related trial that hasn't started yet.  Not sure where you are located, but a call to the researcher might be interesting. Maybe you could find out if your loved one is eligible or if there are other related trials in other parts of the country.  Of course not everyone gets to use the equipment in a trial. How much does it cost?  I think if I was in the same situation I might consider getting one...

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03405662

Hi Lane,

As I discussed with you before I use a VieLight led nose light on my mom every day for 25 min.  We are suppose to do it twice but she isn't thrilled it so I don't force it.  It cost $500.  The company wanted me to buy the more expensive head set but I wanted to try this first.  I read about this light in the AARP magazine.  

It's too early to determine if it is working.  Plus her Dr also put her on Exelon patch and I give her THCA CBD oil and THC gummies.

I think I'm going to try it on myself and see if I can do those advanced Suduko puzzles faster.

Both lasers and LEDs have historically been used on the head, but as time goes on, LED arrays are becoming increasingly the most popular method of delivering PBM to the head. NIR wavelengths in the 800–900 nm range are the most popular choice, but 1064 nm or 1080 nm has also been used. Some investigators combine a red wavelength such as 660 nm with the NIR. The precise placement of the LEDs on the head also varies. Since the forehead is without hair, which can block the light, it is a popular choice for tPBM. Some helmets and hoods are designed to deliver light covering the entire head. Figure 3 shows a selection of devices that have been used for tPBM.

Figure 3. Selection of tPBM devices that have been clinically tested in AD and other brain disorders. (A) Helmet from Photomedex Inc. (Philadelphia, PA, USA); (B) Helmet from THOR Photomedicine (Chesham, UK); (C) Lumiwave LED clusters from BioCare Systems (Parker, CO, USA); (D) Helmet from Cognitolite (Dublin, Ireland); (E) Neuro-alpha LED device from Vielight (Toronto, ON, Canada); (F) Device from ProNeuroLIGHT LLC (Phoenix, AZ, USA).

 Results include reduction of aggressive behaviour, better sleep, I've posted the results elsewhere,

and here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5568598/

 there are some excellent charts showing the improvements as well as comments from the participants family members,  

for the moment I wanted to mention that: 

One person who had access to a Vielight body pad prototype, wore that, with a 633 Red up one nostril, and the NIR(Near InfraRed) up the other nostril, and had the helmet on.  He/She wore all this gear for 25 minutes twice a day, 3 days a week.

Vielight posted the case study, as the individual re-gained 6 MMSE points, from 18 to 24. 

This doesn't happen. The results are so good, people are re-thinking what they think about the ineviability of decline.

NIR stands for Near Infra Red, its past red on the spectrum of light colours. Near Infra Red is a 'colour' of the light wave spectrum that is just beyond the ability of our human eyes to see. 

Other products use white light, like the ALZLife App for Ipads. 

Another company sells white lights that flash on and off at the 40 cycles per second that stimulates microglial cells to get back to work engulfing amlyoid plaques and then ditching them. Little christmas lights/ fairy light @ 40 USD and a little lamp for 90-odd USD.

Other companies sell Red light and Near Infra Red light products...... including LED pads for backpain.

I haven't found another company that offers Red light and NearInfraRed light flickering on and off at 40Hz, other than VieLight.  

IntraNasal (yep, a little light you clip inside your nostril) are about $500 USD, a full helmet is approx 3000 USD.

They are NOT sold as medical devices, they are sold as personal enhancement and concentration devices, for those studying and working out.

Cathie J,

Have you considered adding in a light that could just sit on a desk top, or some 40 Hz flickering fairy lights in the bedroom. It would only clear the visual cortex, but maybe a little is better than none at all?

What we need is for someone to build create 40Hz light amplifier for Near Infra Red Light, then add optional sound. I've seen 40Hz light. I've seen NIR light, but not both together unless its through  Vielight.

I am curious to see if they release a pad that one could lay on top of, so someone can receive treatment while they sleep.

Hi LD Daughter,

Technically everyone in the trial gets to use the equipment, it's only a question of whether its on or off.

Some Trials have the device on for only for 10 seconds as their control. You can imagine that might lead to confusing results if the control/placebo group does get results.

Thankfully a lot of the trials now are testing 4 weeks of therapy vs 8 weeks of therapy or Group A gets active treatment for the first 6 weeks then placebo and group b gets placebo treatment for the first 6 weeks then active treatment.

 And they compare what worked better

 Treatment first, then placebo.

or

Placebo first, then treatment

At the end of week 12, the mean scores improved to 20.00 (7.10) on the MMSE, and to 28.73 (18.85) on the ADAS-cog.

VieLight trial Results

The results are shown in Table 3 and Figs. 2 and 3. After 12 weeks of PBM treatments, there were significant improvements on the MMSE (mean +2.60 points, p < 0.003, two tailed) and the ADAS-cog (mean −6.73 points, p < 0.023, two tailed). At baseline, the mean (SD) for MMSE and ADAS-cog scores were 17.4 (6.84) and 35.47 (21.00), respectively. At the end of week 12, the mean scores improved to 20.00 (7.10) on the MMSE, and to 28.73 (18.85) on the ADAS-cog.

This reminds me of the "stimulator" ad we used to see on TV in the 90's. You touch it to your body and click it and it gives you a tiny electrical shock and your back or muscle pain or whatever you have is supposed to all go away. Fortunately the Federal Trade Commission sued the company, stating that there was no scientific evidence for their claims and the ads were taken off the air.

Now scammers are doing so called clinical trials, and unfortunately, clinicaltrials.gov is allowing them to get listed without informing the reader that these sponsors have not made new medical device applications with the FDA, and therefore they are not seeking FDA oversight or approval. These devices can not legally claim to cure or effectively treat a disease, but they claim it anyway. Further they advertise these clinical trials as a way of convincing viewers that they are effective.  It would seem that if they believed their devices really worked, they would try to get FDA approval.

Unfortunately the FDA, the FTC and clinicaltrials.gov are failing to monitor and warn the public about these unapproved medical devices, so they will continue to market their products and make their claims on the internet.

Though not exactly the same- the use of deep tissue laser (infrared light/photobiomodulation) is FDA approved as a pain treatment. It's been used by veterinarians for quite awhile.  I have just started treatment with a physical therapist for some pain issues. The prices are reasonable too. Here's a link to the manufacturer of the device. This treatment is available at many physical therapy practices.  Just want to give a shout out to the technology. Yes it needs more studies on Alzheimer's, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it outright. 

https://www.litecure.com/medical/laser-therapy/

Significant Improvement in Cognition in Mild to Moderately Severe Dementia Cases Treated with Transcranial Plus Intranasal Photobiomodulation: Case Series Report

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5568598/

Larry, you can't apply for a new Medical device license until you can prove that it works, that's what the clinical trials are for.

And so far, the results look pretty real to me. Also, there are instructables out there so people can build their own. (https://www.instructables.com/id/Hack-Your-Brain-With-Gamma-Light/)

For me, photobiomodulation checks several of the boxes needed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.  Here are some of them:

In addition, PBM has demonstrated the rather unique property of affecting cells in different states of health in different ways, essentially modifying the cell in whatever way might be necessary to promote its survival. For instance, in normal cells the absorption of light by CCO [cytochrome C oxidase] leads to an increase in MMP [mitochondrial membrane potential] above baseline and a short surge in ROS [reactive oxygen species] production. However, in cells where MMP is low due to existing oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, or inhibition of electron transport, light absorption leads to an increase of MMP towards normal levels and a decrease of ROS production. Similarly, the typical response to PBM in healthy cells is a brief increase in intracellular Ca2+. However, in cells that already contain excess Ca2+ (a phenomenon called excitotoxicity) PBM provokes the opposite reaction, in other words it lowers excessive levels of cellular calcium, thus promoting cell survival, lowering oxidative stress, and raising MMP back to normal. A range of neuroprotective approaches based on natural products are under investigation for treatment of AD.

Specifically, PBM could reduce peroxynitrite, while still preserving the positive effects of other isoforms of NO synthase, such as endothelial nitric oxygen synthase (eNOS), which is the species primarily responsible for the vasodilating effects of PBM.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6664299/

Good work, HowDoYouDeal.

My sense is that it is too early into the history of this technique to give a definitive answer to this very good question, but I will try to keep following the research.

I certainly will do so, Dusty.  I will be interested in seeing the trial results.  Sometimes like is the case with aromatherapy more is neither better nor worse.  Maybe this will be the case with photobiomodulatin as well, but I am not sure yet.

For aromatherapy, direct inhalation is likely better than a diffuser, as more of the beneficial compounds make it to the brain that way.  For my mother, we started with rosemary essential oil (after a month, she asked me why I had been giving it to her smell every day for a month).  We later added some other essential oils, including bay laurel, clove, thyme, oregano, and sweet orange.  She would sniff two or three of these oils under each nostrils for a couple of seconds each morning.  She became better at recognizing objects, places (such as her home), faces, and names, she could recite the alphabet and count numbers, she slept better at night, was more comfortable at showering, and stopped having delusions, and was more alert and aware.  Her short-term memory did not approve much, she was not much more lucid in her speech, and she continued to sleep a lot during the day.  Overall, though, her quality of life and condition improved somewhat.

The mostly stimulating essential oils we used via aromatherapy sometimes increase anxiety in some people.  At night relaxing essential oils such as lavender, rose, sweet orange, and lemon balm may be helpful.

Best wishes to you and to your family, Dusty.

I read somewhere about putting the oil on a fabric broach. Though I'd think a pin, or even a magnetic pin could be very dangerous.

Maybe a bit of fabric sewn onto a bracelet.  Maybe dab on a scrunchie and wear on the wrist?

For Dusty,

I am including this because it mentions a ten day study with 2 hours of light therapy, one in the morning and one in the evening.

 *                     *

 Findings

In a brief, independent pilot study conducted without Cognito Therapeutics, 10 days of 40 Hz light therapy did not affect amyloid load, as measured by PiB PET, in 10 AD patients (Ismail et al., 2018).

In April, 2018, Cognito Therapeutics began a Phase 1 trial called Overture to evaluate combined auditory and visual GENUS in 60 people with AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD. Participants receive one hour of GENUS, or sham treatment, daily for six months, with a follow-up visit one month later to assess safety. The primary outcome is ADAS-Cog score, with amyloid imaging as a secondary outcome. The trial takes place at six sites in the U.S.

In May 2019, a second Phase 1 study called Etude began comparing dosing paradigms for auditory and visual GENUS in 20 people with AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD.

 These include one hour once per day, one hour twice per day,****(bold and underline added by ME)****one hour every other day, and 30 or 120 minutes twice per day.

  The primary outcomes are amyloid PET and safety; secondary, ADAS-Cog.

In November 2018, a third study called Flicker started evaluating the tolerability of a combined audio-visual stimulation for one hour per day on 10 people with AD. Five participants will receive eight weeks of GENUS; five will receive four weeks of no intervention followed by four weeks of intervention. These three trials are set to end in the fall of 2019.

I've read a fair bit about Vielight Neuro Gamma, and it's in my top 5. Absolutely, join a trial, or get one, ($1,645 USD) but my issue is that the clearest path to the brain, is the intra-nasal, and for that they only use a 10Hz ( 10 cycles per second) flicker, that's fine for alpha waves, but what's primarily failing in people with AD, apparently, is the Gamma wave, at 40- Hz.

and I absolutely believe that 40Hz via intra-cranial is working, but from my reading, with the amount of energy that is bounced away (by bones, etc) and the way cells transmit energy, the tissue closest to the point of activation will take in the extra energy, as it is needed, and when its not needed, pass it on down the line.

Since there are low cellular energy problems in shallower depths of brain tissue, its going to be a long process before all those cells are repaired, and the energy can penetrate all the way down to the hippocampus.

Intra-nasal, visual, roof of the mouth/ soft palate, even the thin temporal bones on the side of the head seem like clearer path to get the energy to the hippocampus.

So my pick is still the audio visual approach taken by the meditation devices, for 350 USD+, you could try asking the hippocampus to tune itself to on/off flicker that inspires glial cells to take out the trash.

Amyliod is not a bad thing, amyloid globs on to bacteria and viruses and kills them,  the problem is the over-production of amyloid, and when it gets co-opted by stress ( nitric oxide, Lane?)

The wonderful thing about adding energy to re-establish the normal patterns of the brain, is exactly that, you're not taking a pick-axe to the amyloid. It just jolts the brain into working the way its supposed to. And tau toxoligy is also reduced. This approach has had documented improvements in behaviour and cognition, not just lower numbers on a chart.

I have to say for anyone with Parkinsons, The Vielight X plus has a headphone like device, set just to deliver energy to the center of the back of the head. The place they think the majority of the issues are. But the little study about Sub-Woofer chairs (499 USD) is pretty darn encouraging too.

This is a pretty simple idea, parts of the brain that aren't working properly anymore, are failing because they lack the metabolic energy to do their jobs. Using non-conventional methods, Light, light that only bees can see, sound, sound even dogs can't hear, their energy can be absorbed and used by the cells in the brain.

The studies about these are multiplying quickly, results will continue to build. They are minimally invasive and remarkably low risk. They seem to offer  short term improvements and can forestall decline, if used on a daily basis.

I am thinking about buying the Vielight device.

The Vielight Neuro Gamma model below is the one that most Alzheimer's patients use, correct?

Vielight Neuro Gamma

https://www.vielight.com/devices/vielight-neuro-gamma/

Also, this device has not been approved by the FDA, correct? But there are no issues with safety in terms of its effects?

Since Vielight isn't listed as a medical device, a food or drug, it doesn't fall under the FDA's purvue. As far as I know they have never had an adverse effect.

There are some personal stories of Vielight use in a Parkinson's forum in the Uk. I will post when I get off this darn tablet.

https://forum.parkinsons.org.uk/t/vielight-neuro-for-parkinsons/13969/23

a snippet or two:

Gary

May '19

 

 

 

I have been using the Vielight Gamma & XS for about 4 months now. It looks a bit strange & I have not noticed any change but my wife says I look less grumpy (the Parkinson’s mask has maybe slipped a little?). So no harm seems to have come to me & possibly a little improved so I will carry on.
Gary

 

 

1 month later

DaveThomson25

Feb '20

 

I followed the thinking in the ‘red lights blog’ tried to build my own device for £30 but could not get all the materials. I wanted. to address Mitochondrial failure. Settled for buying the Coronet with some added features for $650. Used it for 3 months, no clear benefit but I am simultaneously addressing Protein Misfolding, Free Radical Damage, and Inflammation. I am definitely healthier but this may be due to exercise. Simon is going to do a future blog on this treatment (currently on an Australia wide trial) on’ Science of Parkinsons.com 11’.

6 months later

Laurent

Mar '19

 

Yankee here. I’ve just been made aware of this therapy and we may very well throw the money at it to see if it helps. The nasal clip seems more likely to be absorbed than the cranial helmet - but there have been encouraging results in mice and primates and I can’t just chalk it up to a scam. Harvard and MIT have both taken it seriously enough to begin studies.
I will keep you posted, it will probably be a while … if there arent any results, at least everyone will know that. I’m afraid that, if it helps us, many won’t believe it anyway, but I’ll still report it for those who are interested.

Brent Warthen writes a great blog on living with Parkinson's and he discusses Red Light and NIR light therapy.

He calls it TL: DR  which means Too Long, Didn't Read

https://parkinson.fit/a-parkinsons-odyssey-preface-tldr/

Like Homer’s original odyssey, it is epic. “Epic” is a warning label that is affixed to many classic works of literature, which means that the most notable attribute of the narrative is that it is extremely long. In modern internet lingo, we just say “TL;DR” or “too long; didn’t read”.

https://highintensityhealth.com/259-better-brain-health-w-photobiomodulation-and-light-therapy-w-lew-lim-phd/

BRAIN HEALTH

#259: Better Brain Health w/ Photobiomodulation and Light Therapy w/ Lew Lim, PhD

by Mike Mutzel

 

0 comments

 

About Dr. Lew Lim

Lew Lim, PhD has been studying photobiomodulation (PBM) and low-level light therapy for over 30 years. In the mid 1990's he invented intranasal photobiomodulation as a non-invasive method of introducing therapeutic photonic energy into the human body.

Connect with Dr. Lim

www.lewlim.com
www.facebook.com
www.youtube.com
info@vielight.com

 

Mike Mutzel, MS         

#259: Better Brain Health w/ Photobiomodulation and Light Therapy w/ Lew Lim, PhD           #259: Better Brain Health w/ Photobiomodulation and Light Therapy w/ Lew Lim, PhD          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to Show Notes:

03:07 Dr. Lim uses his devices at bedtime. It does not interfere with sleep.

03:15 Dr. Lim’s first device for home use was developed at a time when low level laser equipment was big and expensive. It meant that you had to go to a clinic to be treated.

04:58 Sometimes using the device brings permanent restoration. Sometimes it requires multiple sessions.

05:12 Photobiomodulation literally means light, biology and changes. It happens when we are in the sun. It had been known as low level laser therapy, low level light therapy, soft laser or cold laser.

06:17 Photobiomodulation works on mitochondria.

09:02 Mitochondria respond to light in the red and infrared spectrum, by restoring normal function when it has not been functioning at optimal state. When we are already in optimum, there is little response. Too much red and infrared can have a negative effect.

09:58 Light energy is converted into 7 proteins, when your mitochondria respond to infrared and red light spectrum. This leads to our genes triggering recovery and healing, encouraging the multiplication of cells, mitogenesis, and preventing early apoptosis.

10:36 Red light and infrared light therapy is accepted as a treatment for improving circulation, body pain and injury.

11:06 Infrared goes deep. Red light treats the superficial level, so it is good for skin conditions. Blue light is antimicrobial.

11:37 Neurons in our brains respond to red and infrared. Near infrared is used because it travels deeper. Studies show that the use of 810 nanometers works well with the nervous system tissues/brain tissues.

12:58 Photobiomodulation has a biphasic response.

13:30 The impetus for research into the regenerative properties of low level laser therapy came about in the 1960s when a professor in Hungary discovered that laser was helping to regrow fur in lab mice.

13:57 There is a wavelength and intensity sweet spot where low level laser is effective and not harmful. Wavelengths need to be in the action spectrum.

16:18 Dr. Lim has developed a device that selectively points at strategic areas of the brain.

17:26 The default mode network is the template network for your brain. When you are not performing a task, this network kicks in. The health of the default mode network is related to certain brain conditions like, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chronic pain and depression.

18:36 Most people with Alzheimer’s have lesions in the areas of the brain where the nodes/junctions for the default mode network reside.  Most of the activity, connectivity and brain power takes place in these nodes.

19:49 The theory is that red and infrared light at the right power it will heal neurons. Lab studies show that neurons that are damaged by oxidative stress, regrow their axons, dendrites and neurites with this therapy.

20:39 Red light and infrared light elevates the power of higher frequency brainwave. Low power correlates with diseases related to cognition, like stroke, dementia, concussion, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

21:41 Attention deficit disorder correlates with too much power in the slower brainwave. It is locked into the lower level. There should be energy oscillation into higher levels, like gamma, beta and alpha so the brain can process information efficiently. With ADD reaction time is slower, there is less focus and decision making is not as good. Similar brain signatures are seen in dementia patents.

23:20 Gamma is characterized by heightened awareness, high oscillations and faster processing. Long term meditators have persistent gamma state. They can get in and out of this state quickly. Most of us are not able to do this.

24:42 The Alpha state is the meditative state for most of us. An intervention with 10 Hz alpha can help you get into that state.

26:00 Photobiomodulation modalities can be used effectively to help with competitive performance and recovery. A combination of red light and infrared is effective in helping your body reach its potential.

27:36 Alpha is probably better with golfers and shooters who need to be in a calm state. Gamma is better for intense competition and quick decision making. Alpha is good for brain stem maintenance.

28:36 Alpha is usually recommended for head trauma. Research on animals found that 10 Hz produced the fastest healing for the brain. Ten hertz is where the human brain functions in a beneficial alpha state. The alpha device is being used in the biofeedback community for its ability to quickly get people into an alpha state.

30:56 EEG is a diagnostic measurement of your brain electrical signals. Brain wave patterns and quality are detected. QEEG compares your brain electrical signals to normal. Photobiomodulation is an intervention to help modulate brain patterns.

34:00 Directing gamma to the brain elevates gamma, beta and alpha and downregulates lower oscillation states.

35:33 The first time stimulating gamma with a device, Dr. Lim and other sensitive people have reported having hallucinations. Alpha does not have the potential side effects of gamma and higher frequency.

36:39 Patients with degenerative brain conditions are not sensitive to gamma and do not have the potential side effects. Gamma should help their brains become higher functioning.

37:13 Gamma pulsing at 40 Hz activates microglia in the brain, whose function is to remove unwanted byproducts in the brain.

39:45 Alpha at positive 10 Hz will get you into a more relaxed state and could be helpful with sleep. Photobiomodulation at 10 Hz may help with stress.

40:53 Photobiomodulation, via Dr. Lim’s devices, is being studied in conjunction with traumatic brain injury, cognitive deficits, Parkinson’s, ADHD and dementia. The intermediate data is positive.

45:00 The nose is an easy way to reach the circulatory system and the brain. One of the nodes of the default mode network is the hippocampus. It is responsible for memory. You can deliver light to the brain and it is spread via indirect signaling. Intranasal delivery has worked, but the therapy works better with more light delivery points. Above the nasal cavity is the olfactory bulb. Research has discovered that impairments in olfactory bulb in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The olfactory bulb has a direct projection to the hippocampus. Effecting the olfactory bulb, effects the memory processing in your brain.

52:26 Red light and infrared light therapy can sometimes be helpful with epilepsy, which can be caused by a variety of things that happen in the brain.

54:43 Photobiomodulation is safe at the power used in Dr. Lim’s devices. You can use it daily. It promotes homeostasis in your body. The laser is not yet available in the U.S. because of regulation.

58:32 Dr. Lim’s devices are designed for adults. Nasal devices are for ages 5 and up. Kids don’t like it, so parents put them on while the child sleeps.

Home / Articles / #259: Better Brain Health w/ Photobiomodulation and Light Therapy w/ Lew Lim, PhD

Last updated on March 17, 2019