Transcranial and Intranasal PhotoBioModulation Therapy Supports Rapid Reversal of Cognitive Decline
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1
Neuropathy Treatment Centers of America, United States
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2
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, NeurosciencesResearch Center, Iran
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3
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, AgingResearch Institute, Iran
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4
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Departmentof Medical Physics, Iran
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5
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, United States
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6
Harvard Medical School, Department of Dermatology, United States
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7
Health Sciences and Technology,Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard-MIT, United States
Introduction and objective.
Our case report is of a 64 yoa Caucasian female with a history of Alzheimer's diagnosed by a medical professional in 2011 confirmed by neuropsychological testing in 2013. She presented January 27 2018 with a family history of dementia; a sister diagnosed at 55 yoa and a maternal aunt. She was currently taking standard dementia drug regime. This case is unique in that it demonstrated rapid reversal of mild cognitive decline from a multi pronged approach that include high levels of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT).
Case report
At the exam 2018-01-27, she stated that her main concern was to improve her memory / stop memory loss. She stated that her brain was not functioning well and the diagnosis of dementia and loss of memory scared her. She she felt the her diagnosis was a "death sentence".
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a brief cognitive screening instrument originally developed to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a possible prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It assesses several cognitive domains, including attention, executive functions, language, memory and orientation. MoCA scores range from zero to 30, with 26 and higher generally considered normal, 22 indicates Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and 16 or below indicates dementia. Initial cognitive assessment of our patient revealed a MoCA score of 18. Post therapy her score was 24. Improvements were noted in visual spatial executive function, math attention and orientation while delayed recall did not improve.
Working Memory Questionnaire (WMQ) is a valid, self-administered scale addressing three dimensions of working memory: short-term storage, attention, and executive control. The total score (out of 120, higher scores indicating more complaints). Initial gross score was 53 which improved to 10 post care. A 44% disability in working memory pretrial reduced to 8% disability post.
Initially PBMT was applied in 25 minute segments; transcranially with a prototype 'Light Helmet' and one additional body pad. (ProNeuroLIGHT LLC Kerrville TX) See Table 1.
Surprisingly, changes in mental clarity were noticed almost immediately. After the initial week (13 applications) the patient stated: “Things are better. I have a better attitude going forward. I notice that my mind seems clearer. I know things now that I didn’t know.”
After this, an intranasal piece See Table 1 (VieLIGHT LLC) was started in the left nostril twice daily application simultaneously with the application of the above modalities.
Discussion and Conclusion
This rapid a reversal of cognitive impairment and working memory has not been seen in the literature. Based on our findings, high dose PBMT as part of a multi pronged approach, may accelerate positive changes in visual spatial, executive function, math attention and orientation as well as short-term storage, attention, and executive control. For patients with cognitive decline, high dose PBMT could be considered a promising non-invasive modality.
Keywords:
Photobiomodulation therapy,
Mild cognitive decline,
Dementia,
Montreal Cognitive Assessment,
Alzheimer's disease
Conference:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience 2018, Orlando, Florida, United States, 24 May - 26 May, 2018.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Clinical Applications in health, disease, and injury to the nervous system
Citation:
DiDuro
JO,
Salehpour
F and
Hamblin
MR
(2018). Transcranial and Intranasal PhotoBioModulation Therapy Supports Rapid Reversal of Cognitive Decline.
Front. Neurol.
Conference Abstract:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience 2018.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2018.60.00018
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Received:
26 Mar 2018;
Published Online:
14 Dec 2018.
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Correspondence:
Dr. Joseph O DiDuro, Neuropathy Treatment Centers of America, Phoenix, United States, drjoe.az@gmail.com