Chapter 1
IN THIS LESSON
Laser Therapy for Cognitive Health
Laser therapy for cognitive health, formally known as photobiomodulation (PBM) or transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), represents a rapidly advancing non-invasive neuromodulation technology with demonstrated efficacy in treating multiple neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions. This therapeutic approach utilizes red to near-infrared light wavelengths (600-1100 nm) to stimulate cellular repair mechanisms, enhance mitochondrial function, and improve cerebral blood flow, offering a promising alternative or adjunct to pharmaceutical interventions for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.
Recent clinical trials have demonstrated significant cognitive improvements in patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, with one randomized controlled study of 57 patients showing an average 4.8-point improvement on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) after just 8 weeks of treatment. These results, combined with favorable safety profiles and the potential for at-home administration, position photobiomodulation as an emerging therapeutic modality that addresses the substantial unmet need in cognitive health management.
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