The sports medicine community recognizes that concussions from repetitive blows to the head are major public health concerns. To address this issue, Vielight is dedicating resources to seek for a solution using non-invasive transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) modality. We try to be a part of the solution by investing in quality research and development of tPBM devices as potential treatment options. We work with research labs such as Dr Margaret Naeser’s at the Boston University School of Medicine in association with the Boston VA. Several universities employ Vielight devices in their independent research.

One such research center, headed by Dr. David Tate at the University of Utah Department of Neurology, studied concussion using the Vielight RX Gamma as a treatment modality. They presented the results of their study at the recent 10th Annual Symposium of the Sports Neuropsychology Society in Dallas, Texas. Through this independent study, over a period of eight weeks, they studied 49 male and female former athletes with histories of concussion and/or repetitive subconcussive events. All participants had concussive symptoms caused by repeated blows to the head.

The university-led study used the Vielight Neuro RX Gamma to alleviate common symptoms of concussion.

The research team reported significant differences in their pre- and post-treatment experiences. When the RX-Gamma was used, there were improvements in symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress, adjustment, sleep quality, reaction time, and bilateral grip strength. The RX Gamma is a clinical trial version of the Vielight Neuro Gamma tPBM device. Both are designed for home use. A summary of the findings can be accessed here: https://www.vielight. com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/TPBMTreatment-Effects-in-Former-Athleteswith-Repetitive-Head-Hits-Liebel-04-22. pdf

Commenting on this study, Vielight’s CEO, Dr. Lew Lim, remarked, “The University of Utah’s study supports the positive effects that photobiomodulation (PBM) has on post-concussion symptoms. We are grateful that this university chose the Vielight Neuro RX Gamma to test our assumption that it could help with these circumstances. The encouraging results from this study give hope to people suffering from brain injury that healing is possible, when PBM is applied to the brain with the RX Gamma. Vielight’s only role in this independent study was to supply the devices.”

Watch the video here:

Vielight-Sponsored Study Discovers New Understanding in PBM Mechanisms

As part of the effort to develop more effective PBM devices, Vielight continues to invest in understanding fundamental cellular mechanisms related to PBM. In another study, Vielight collaborated with Dr. Jack Tuszynski’s lab at the University of Alberta. The aim of this study was to better understand how photons (light) delivered to the brain via PBM behave and participate in cellular mechanisms and how the cells receive, process, and transmit signals within themselves and their environment.

Although the efficacy of PBM has been reported over the years, its biochemical mechanisms are still poorly understood. For example, the effects of PBM on living cells and the role of microtubules in neuronal signaling are largely unknown.

Several important novel discoveries were made in our collaborative study with Dr. Jack Tuszynski’s lab. Firstly, living cells were exposed to light from a Vielight 810 Infrared LED in an in vitro experiment. The results showed that the cells responded with an increase in electrical current flow and resistance in the microtubules. This may suggest that PBM controls the toxic actions of excitatory neurotransmitters with inhibitory capabilities by keeping them in check.

In the second set of experiments, the research team studied how microtubules within a cell respond to low-intensity PBM. The microtubules were observed to disassemble widely when they were exposed to low-intensity near-infrared (NIR) light. This discovery suggests that low-intensity NIR PBM causes the mitochondria (the cells that create energy for all cells in a body) to be more active. It suggests that low-intensity NIR PBM causes mitochondrial activity to increase and demonstrates the efficacy of low-intensity PBM.

In the final set of experiments, the incubating solution for the tissues was changed slightly. It produced effects that were opposite to that observed in the earlier experiment when microtubules were observed to reassemble. This experiment shows that PBM produces different outcomes when the solutions are changed, reflecting dynamic tissue properties in living organisms.

In summary, the experimental results at the University of Alberta show that mechanisms of PBM are even more complex than expected. There is more work to be done to fully understand the mechanisms and how their systems can be controlled. Vielight has plans for more research in this area, which may lead to personalized PBM parameters in the future. Our work continues! This paper can be accessed at: https:// www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ fmedt.2022.871196/full.

Vielight Plans for More Online Public Education

PBM is increasingly recognized for its potential to improve health and well-being. This opens the field to future research in understanding the complex and intriguing processes which our bodies undergo to heal themselves when given help from PBM. We receive increasing requests for education, particularly in response to the introduction of our sophisticated Neuro Pro device. Attendees of our first webinar on the potential of the Neuro Pro on March 31, 2022 expressed their appreciation. The webinar can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiaVM68PQj0&. We plan to organize more teaching webinars on PBM, particularly regarding how it can help one’s mental health. In the meantime, due to increasing demands on our staff resources, we are likely to scale back our presence in conferences. Please, continue to follow us for further updates.

We welcome Dr. Mahroo Karimpoor

The latest addition to our research team is Dr. Mahroo Karimpoor, PhD, as a Research Scientist in Photobiomodulation and Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering. Mahroo is also an expert meditator and will be involved in the areas of meditation and mindfulness. Her last engagement was in tissue engineering and related disciplines at University College, London, UK.

Recent Educational Media

These educational videos and podcast would be of interest to those interested in Vielight and PBM technology:
• Penijean Gracefire and Sanjay Manchanda – Neuro Pro Photobiomodulation – Discovering the Possibilities Webinar. March 31, 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiaVM68PQj0
• Lew Lim. Cognitive Enhance with Light Therapy. NuroFlex Podcast. March 8, 2022: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xYC0B41rU0mWj0W31kmAy
• Lew Lim. Photobiomodulation – The Energy-based Path to Higher Consciousness and Wellness. Immersive Wellness Summit 2021, Quantum University. October 9, 2021: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IkuevUXLR8k
• Lew Lim. A Pivotal Clinical Trial Evaluating a Home-used Photobiomodulation Device in the Treatment of COVID-19 Respiratory Symptoms. PBM 2021, October 1-3, 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j-3h1NrKSs
• Lew Lim. Quantum Elements in Brain Photobiomodulation: new discoveries and new theories. PBM 2021, October 1-3, 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2l1aepfcMo

The post Vielight Bi-Annual Update first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Vielight Bi-Annual Update appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Furthermore, various practitioners and influencers in the health and wellness space are actively promoting the benefits of red light. Some professional sports teams now have red light therapy rooms, to capitalize on its benefits. All of this creates a lot of buzz. Thus, more people are starting to look at red light products as options for their wellness needs.

Many of these options are viable, and many benefits are documented and well-supported by clinical and exploratory research. However, if you are a novice to this rapidly growing field called red light therapy, you may find yourself disoriented. There are so many products and so many options to choose from, and the terminology can be confusing.

Red light vs near infrared light

The term “red light therapy” is often used liberally and may be extended to include near infrared light therapy. Although similar in principle, these forms of light therapy have some distinct differences and should be differentiated. There are similar effects in which both induce biochemical mechanisms that stimulate cellular processes.

One important difference between red and near infrared forms of light is the wavelength of the light. Red light falls into the 620-700 nm wavelength spectrum and is visible to the human eye. Near infrared light falls into the 800-2500 nm wavelength spectrum. This form of light is not visible to the naked eye. However, Near infrared light can penetrate deeper into the body, and even can pass through the skull. Therefore, emerges the term transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), which refers to the near infrared light therapy intended to stimulate the brain.

The focus of this article is to provide introductory information about red light therapy for the newcomers interested in this space.

Brief history of light therapy

There can be disagreements on where actual roots of the red light therapy begin. Some can argue that the father of light therapy was Dr. Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904), a Danish physician and scientist. Dr. Finsen studied effects of the concentrated electric light on patients with lupus vulgaris, a form of tuberculosis. In 1903 he received a Nobel Prize in psychology for his innovative treatment method using light.

Dr. Finsen’s work is scientifically important and has major historic significance. However, it is more common to start the clock of modern red-light therapy history with Dr. Endre Master (1903–1984). A Hungarian physician, Dr. Master developed the first low-level laser (LLL) device in 1967. In his studies of LLL’s effects on cancer, he accidentally noticed its effects of accelerated wound healing in laboratory mice.

Today, more than half-a-century later, scientists, engineers and medical professionals are still studying the effects of red light on the human body. The modern trailblazers of light therapy have access to new technologies which were not available to its original pioneers. Furthermore, it also expanded the understanding of the science behind the effects of red-light therapy on human physiology.

Light therapy research and advancement

Numerous studies have been conducted and published, advancing the depth of understanding of light therapy, and expanding the scope of its applications. Thus, to date, there are over six thousand published research papers on the subject of light therapy.

New research has provided important data supporting therapeutic effects of red light. Still, despite years of research, many consider red light to be therapeutically controversial and ambiguous modality. This happens due to its status as an alternative therapy which stands outside of the traditional medical protocols.

However, research, new technologies, and modern design and manufacturing capabilities are helping to shift the state of red-light therapy. Thus, some new protocols include red light therapy as a modality for a number of indications in dentistry. Furthermore, there are recent studies that highlight the benefits of red light in other medical applications for humans. Some of these new applications go beyond the scope of general wellness and cross into the medical domain. The use of red light for animal care is even more extensive.

With regards to the general wellness applications, red light therapy acceptance is growing even faster. As the costs of new products decrease, the adoption increases. For example, red-light LEDs show the same effect as low level lasers. As LEDs are safer, and cheaper to manufacture, there is growth in new LED red light therapy devices for numerous applications. With quantity comes quality. The interest in the products increases, as more users recognize the benefits, acceptance and demand grow.

What are the types of red-light therapy devices and applications?

There are red light panels, red light masks, red light intranasal devices, red light beds, red light helmets and simple red-light lamps. The diversity of available light therapy products is growing every year. With multitude and diversity come new designs.

The terminology is also evolving. For example, photobiomodulation is a commonly used term for light therapy, particularly red and near infrared light therapies. Yet, there are  (PBM), and red light therapy is one of them.

For example, there is a range of red-light therapy devices focused on topical applications. Thus, this group includes devices intended to improve hair growth, skin aging, clarity and wrinkles. Other devices come with a promise to shrink your waistline. Importantly, most of them can cite support of at least one published research study.

The majority of devices used for topical applications are red light panels. They come in different sizes and with different power options. Some panels include both red light and near infrared light sources. Other therapy devices in the topical category include red.

Red light therapy devices for muscle relaxation and recovery

Yet another group of red-light therapy products offers help with muscle relaxation and recovery, and promises physical performance enhancement. Red light therapy panels and beds are the most common design options in this. However, this is the domain where red light devices are competing with near infrared light devices. There are also devices that combine both red and near infrared light, like Vielight X-Plus, for example, a wearable PBM device designed for personal, at-home use.

The list of use cases for red light therapy devices goes on, and there will be much more to come

The post Red Light Therapy Information for Beginners first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Red Light Therapy Information for Beginners appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Vielight PBM research and development efforts continue first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Vielight PBM research and development efforts continue appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

This issue of the newsletter is a report by Dr. Lew Lim, Founder & CEO of Vielight Inc., presented below.

2020 was Not All Doom and Gloom

2020 was a year like no other! When COVID-19 hit, it affected every person in one way or another. Here at Vielight, we were not spared. Our ongoing major clinical trials — the Alzheimer’s Disease and traumatic brain injury trials — were forced on hold. Other studies were also paused or prevented from starting because they require human contact, including those requiring the use of EEG.

The ominous doom and gloom, fear, and isolation caused by this pandemic did not halt Vielight’s busy agenda. Instead, it ignited a fire within the Vielight team to find a solution using photobiomodulation (PBM) to put a stop to the novel coronavirus. Fortunately, the science behind the Vielight X-Plus shows that it has the potential to do this. This led to the creation of our clinical study device — the Vielight RX Plus — and the birth of a plan to validate its effectiveness in a rigorous clinical trial. Despite our limited resources of a small company, the dedicated tenacity of our team led us to launch our COVID-19 clinical trial in the USA and Canada in September 2020.

Although recruiting subjects has been challenging, and we faced numerous additional hurdles, we hope to be in the position to report interim findings in the spring of 2021. To those who have helped us with the recruitment of subjects in the United States and Canada, we thank you.

If the research data is positive and passes the scrutiny of regulators, the Vielight RX Plus will be offered as a home-use medical device to accelerate recovery from COVID-19 infections. With clearance from the applicable regulatory bodies, we hope to validate publicly the biological mechanisms behind this technology. Until the research data is validated, the biological mechanisms remain hypothetical. 

We are still recruiting trial participants

If you know someone with COVID-19, kindly refer them to our clinical trial, as we are still recruiting. Participants are required to use the RX Plus for one month. More information can be found at https://covidlightstudy.com.

Although the pandemic has restrained our research activities, we are still busy researching new ways of applying PBM to improve wellness just by the touch of a button using our portable, user-friendly home-use devices. We will be releasing a few new products in the next few months — please check our website for announcements! 

Vielight New Product Releases in 2021

“Vielight Relief” for Managing Focal Pain

The “Vielight Relief” is a new product, planned for release by the spring of 2021. This unique device is Vielight’s foray into the medical device category. It is planned as a home-use medical device to provide relief from acute and chronic pain in focal areas of the body. More information will be released soon. Like all Vielight products, it is user-friendly and can be placed on nearly any part of the body, except the eyes. 

“Vielight Vagus” for Improving Vagal Tone

The “Vielight Vagus” is a new patent-pending product, planned for release by the spring of 2021. It is the world’s first general wellness PBM device with LEDs specifically positioned bilaterally over the major vagus nerves at the neck area. This user-friendly home-use device is designed to achieve good vagal tone, which is associated with reduced stress, a balanced healthy body, and an alert mind — often the aim of biofeedback practitioners and biohackers. 

“Vielight Reflex” for Improving Sports Performance

The “Vielight Reflex” is another new patent-pending product, planned for release by the fall of 2021. This device is the first general wellness brain stimulation device intended to improve the speed of reflexes requiring eye-hand coordination. The
Vielight Reflex is designed to stimulate the visual and motor cortical areas of the brain, which is backed by neuroscience. This wearable device is developed for
athletes and E-gamers looking to gain
an edge.

“Vielight Neuro Pro”

The much-anticipated Neuro Pro has been under intensive product development by Vielight over the last three years. It will be the most sophisticated brain PBM device available in the general wellness category. Primarily designed for research, this user-friendly device can also be used by non-experts to improve brain performance by adjusting different parameters. The Neuro Pro also allows for future modular upgrades and improvements.

Early testing by advanced meditators produced some extraordinary outcomes, providing a window to the vast possibilities of improving brain function with this device. Our team is working on an education program to help users enjoy exploring the potential of their brain using the
Vielight Pro. We hope to launch a meditation study with this device soon.

In addition to the above announcements, we are in the process of upgrading some of our existing devices to incorporate the latest component technologies.

Research programs in 2021

2021 will see the progress of ongoing research projects, as well as the launch of new ones. Aside from the COVID-19 clinical trial, we hope to be able to see some results in the Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury clinical trials. Along with these and the above-mentioned COVID-19 trials, we also hope to observe data from our studies on cognition, biological markers in diseases, EEG, and MRI markers. These biomarker studies are significant, because they lead to a better understanding of produced physiological effects that, in turn, help to explain the associated biochemical mechanisms. More studies like these provide great potential for personalization and possibilities of treatments with Vielight devices in the future

In Conclusion

As you can see, Vielight is a busy place. The team is highly proactive, directing considerable effort towards discoveries and innovations. A major objective is to translate these efforts into the development of affordable devices that anyone can use at home without the requirement of extensive training. In the development of these devices, safety, accomplished by rigorous testing, is always our top priority. In the process, we ultimately seek to improve the quality of lives for many.

On behalf of all at Vielight, have a SAFE and HAPPY 2021!

Lew Lim, PhD, MBA
Founder & CEO, Vielight Inc.

The post Transforming Vielight’s Innovation Into New Products first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Transforming Vielight’s Innovation Into New Products appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The loss of brain cells from brain injuries is a well-documented phenomenon. In moderate to severe cases of brain injuries, the generalized loss could amount to 5% of brain cells per year. These are cells that include those in the areas of the brain that affect cognition and memory functions. In a recent study, a professional hockey player, with multiple concussions and generalized loss or atrophy of the brain cells, was observed. These deficiencies were the results of injuries received during his hockey career. Professor Linda Chao of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) was the lead investigator in the study. The subject was treated with two Vielight transcranial-intranasal devices — the Neuro Gamma, followed by the Neuro Alpha, over a period of eight weeks.

The results of this study showed improvements in learning, memory, executive functions, attention, and mental processing speed. This is a very significant finding because, for the first time ever, a study was able to show measurable growth of gray matter due to transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), in some important areas of the brain, in a human. The growth was present in the hippocampus and thalamic areas.

Indeed, the study provides significant evidence that PBM helps the brain to repair itself!  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the growth of neurons. In addition to growth and repair of damage in the brain cells, the brain was observed to perform more efficiently.

The study was published in the September issue of Frontiers in Neurology. This is a link to the study: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00952/full. 

Dr Lew Lim Comments

Co-author Dr. Lew Lim, who is Vielight Founder & CEO, commented, “For objective evidence of real recovery in a brain, the gold standard is a measured increase in the volume of brain cells through objective imaging. Although this is only a single case, the evidence could be stronger than in a controlled study with several subjects. This is because there are no placebo-related false positives in such brain imaging. The finding also gives us more optimism for our ongoing pivotal clinical trial for Alzheimer’s, where the reversal of brain atrophy would contribute to positive outcomes.”

More information about the Alzheimer’s pivotal clinical trial can be found by following this link: https://www.vielight.com/de//vielight-alzheimers-disease-trial/.

Dr. Lim added, “These findings provide an additional validation of earlier studies that presented improved brain functions, when
subjects with traumatic brain injuries were treated with a Vielight Neuro or other PBM-based brain treatment methods. I look forward to more evidence and validation through future studies involving more subjects, which employ brain imaging methods, including EEG.” 

We are Actively Recruiting for the COVID-19 Clinical Trial

Our clinical trial, to indicate the Vielight RX Plus for COVID-19, is ongoing. We are actively recruiting subjects to evaluate whether our device could be a first-line treatment, and helpful in offering a solution to this great COVID-19 pandemic.

The study collects data for evidence to confirm whether a person infected with COVID-19 recovers more quickly when treated with a Vielight RX Plus device.

It would be a welcome alternative to those who prefer a non-pharmaceutical treatment. 

Please help to pass the word around that we are recruiting subjects who have been tested and confirmed to have COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada and throughout the US, particularly in the states of Florida and Texas.

More information about the trial is accessible at https://covidlight.ca.

Vielight and the Clinical Trial for COVID-19 Covered in the Canadian National News

One of Canada’s largest television networks, CTV, featured Vielight’s COVID clinical trial in a national news segment. A recording of this segment, “Scientists studying whether light can be harnessed to kill the coronavirus”, is available at https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/scientists-studying-whether-light-can-be-harnessed-to-kill-the-coronavirus-1.5141292.

Among the interviewed was Guillermo Tearney, co-director of the Massachusetts General Brigham Center for COVID Innovation. He supports the premise that light therapy can cause sick and dying cells to heal and recover. As earlier studies suggest, the red and near infrared (NIR) light can reduce the viral population, diminishing the severity of effects of COVID.

The principal clinical trial investigator of the Vielight trial, Dr. Roy Tingley, and retired Associate Prof. of Harvard Medical School, Michael Hamblin, were also interviewed.

Dr. Lew Lim to Present at Special Neurofeedback Webinar

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 12 PM EST, Dr Lew Lim will present a webinar, “What Neurofeedback Practitioners Need to Know about Photobiomodulation”.

The webinar description states that, “Neurofeedback practitioners increasingly recognize that photobiomodulation (PBM) can produce significantly positive outcomes when light energy is directed to the brain in calculated doses. However, it is an emerging application that clearly has not revealed all of its secrets — in fact far from it. Probably, few are better positioned to discuss newly discovered evidence as well as ongoing research than Dr. Lim. He is supported by his large team of researchers and by a network of third-party researchers.

The webinar will cover some biological mechanisms that are key to understanding the differences between PBM and other forms of brain stimulation, the effect of dose, pulsing and focal stimulation. This one-of-its-kind seminar covers the areas of investigation into enhancement of the effectiveness of PBM and the vast potential of its use, awaiting to be discovered. Topics like cognition, altered states, pain relief, as well as ongoing medical clinical trials, will be discussed. We expect that with more investigations and studies, there will be startling impact on the future of brain stimulation.”

This webinar is open to anyone with an interest in the latest understanding of the parameters for effective brain PBM. It can be of particular interest to those seeking the latest information on how to improve one’s brain functions. Registration information is available at https://isnr.org/events/what-neurofeedback-practitioners-need-to-know-about-photobiomodulation-presented-by-dr-lew-lim.

The post Case Study: Vielight Neuro Helps Regrowing Human Brain Cells first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Case Study: Vielight Neuro Helps Regrowing Human Brain Cells appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Readers may recall our intention to test the efficacy of our X-Plus device on COVID-19 in April 2020. After five months of intensive preparation by our team of researchers for this clinical trial, we are now ready. We have received all the required approvals to commence our trial. The trial recruitment has started throughout the US, and will start shortly in Ontario, Canada.

This clinical trial involves the use of the Vielight RX Plus, which is a portable photobiomodulation (PBM) device designed for home use. The LED module delivers near infrared light at 810 nm to the thymus gland and lungs, while the nasal applicator delivers 633 nm red light intranasally. In this way the light of both 810nm and 633nm wavelengths is delivered to different parts of the body. The RX Plus has some modifications to the commercially-available X-Plus device, but the design is largely similar.

Due to the pandemic, we are employing safety measures in the clinical trial. For this reason, the trial is managed remotely by clinical trial sites. One such site is located in Port Orange, Florida, USA. The other one is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The trial subjects are monitored remotely over 30 days. The endpoint of the trial is the time for the patients to recover from an infection.

During the past few months, several parties have announced studies involving the use of PBM devices for treating patients infected with COVID-19. There are some differences between our clinical trial and the others. Firstly, the number of test subjects of 280 is far larger, which provides more realistic representation of outcomes in real life. Secondly, this trial is randomized to remove bias. Half of the trial subjects will receive only the usual standard of care, and the other half will additionally use the Vielight RX Plus. The other major difference is that the patients treat themselves at home. The participants are monitored remotely. Full safety protocols are rigorously implemented to remove the risks of human-transmitted spread of the disease.

“Over the years, there have been suggestions that PBM can boost the immune system and control inflammation, based on the data from cell and animal studies. This trial studies human subjects with COVID-19. We await the results to confirm if PBM delivered via the RX Plus is effective in treating COVID-19 infection. Notably, the intervention does not introduce any substance into the body other than the light energy, and this is done in a controlled manner,” said Dr. Lew Lim, Founder & CEO of Vielight. “As always, we seek to apply rigorous scientific study standards to test our hypotheses, and we will manage our expectations pending the final results.”

Information about participation in this clinical trial can be accessed at www.covidlight.ca. The trial has been registered with clinicaltrials.gov and the information about the trial is available there. If you are based anywhere in the US or in Ontario, Canada, please spread the word to help us to recruit the participants for this clinical trial.

Dr. Lim Awarded Worldwide Patent for the Neuro Invention

We have been receiving a lot of love for the Vielight Neuro Alpha, Gamma and Duo since their release a few years ago. Many users have reported that the devices have positively impacted their quality of life with regards to various mental functions and cognition. The award of this patent for the Vielight Neuro invention covers countries around the globe including the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, China, Japan and Australia. Dr. Lim has assigned the patent to Vielight. Patents covering other territories are pending.

Vielight Welcomes Software Developer, Mark Heydari

We welcome Mark Heydari, a top-level software developer, into our team. Mark is a full-stack developer with over 25 years of experience and a master degree in computer science from the Technical University of Denmark. His skills cover all major computer languages with an impressive record in the field. He will lead the software development work at Vielight, with particular attention paid to the Vielight Neuro Pro apps and backend platform. We expect that with the addition of Mark to our talent pool, we will add more useful and sophisticated offerings to our portfolio of products.

The post Vielight Commences COVID-19 Clinical Trial in USA and Ontario first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Vielight Commences COVID-19 Clinical Trial in USA and Ontario appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Before delving into a seemingly esoteric subject of intranasal photobiomodulation (iPBM), it makes sense to acknowledge the process of creative discovery.

Every invention started with an idea. Some ideas were products of lucky accidents, leading to a discovery. Ultimately, a few happy flukes ended up spearheading innovations, often very important ones. These serendipitous discoveries usually happened to those who were prepared to recognize and to understand them. For example, the principle of the microwave oven was discovered by accident. Thus, during an experiment a chocolate bar melted in the researcher’s pocket, triggering a series of scientific ideas and conclusions.

In some cases, time was critical in gaining knowledge of the subject matter to make the idea work. Consequently, some inventions took a long time to develop. From an idea to execution of a functional product, years, decades, sometimes centuries, could pass. Such was the case with the helicopter and sewing machine concepts, which Leonardo da Vinci envisioned during Renaissance.

However, what does it all have to do with intranasal photobiomodulation, you may ask? The only commonality is the principle of creative discovery. Interestingly, the idea of intranasal photobiomodulation concept came first, and the strongest support for that idea came years later.

Validating Intranasal Photobiomodulation Concept

In the summer of 2019, a group of French researchers from IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France, published an important research article. Entitled, “Blood contains circulating cell-free respiratory competent mitochondria”, this article presents important new findings. This research study drastically departs from the previous assumptions and confirms the presence of mitochondria in the blood.

Potentially numerous, implications and applications of this finding can have significant impact. Meanwhile, it answers an important question regarding the delivery and effects of the systemic iPBM technique. Furthermore, unintendedly, this study provided strong scientific explanation and validation of the systemic effects of intranasal photobiomodulation.

Notably, it is important not to confuse systemic intranasal photobiomodulation (iPBM) with brain-focused iPBM, which is a form of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM). On the one hand, systemic intranasal photobiomodulation delivers visible red light to the systems of the body via blood. On the other hand, transcranial-intranasal PBM delivers a more powerful, invisible near infrared (NIR) light to the brain transcranially via the nasal passage. The principles of photobiomodulation applied to both of these processes are the same and based on mitochondrial and cellular functions. However, the effects of these two types of PBM on the body are different and variable.

Principles of Intranasal Photobiomodulation and Systemic Applications

The data from the previous years of research was pointing to the fact that the blood absorbed red light energy. This was the initial stage in the blood PBM process. Following the absorption, the blood delivered the energy of the light throughout the body. It is during this delivery stage that stimulation of and increase in mitochondrial activity happened. Consequently, following the latter stage, systemic effects of intranasal photobiomodulation presented themselves. Later studies supported the hypothesis of increased cellular functions and, ultimately, gene transcription.

Research Supports the Benefits of Photobiomodulation

Numerous research studies have been published over the last decade supporting the benefits of photobiomodulation in various applications. For example, in the paper published in the Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, by Ann Liebert et al, the authors state: “It is generally accepted that the single most important chromophore in the red and near infrared (NIR) regions of the spectrum is cytochrome c oxidase (CCO). CCO is unit IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. When CCO absorbs light, the enzyme activity increases. Consequently, it leads to increased electron transport, more oxygen consumption, higher mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased ATP production.¹ Signaling molecules are produced, including a brief burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide, cyclic AMP, and movements in intracellular calcium.

These signaling molecules result in activation of transcription factors. Furthermore, changes in the expression of a multitude of gene products, including structural proteins, enzymes, and mediators of cell division and cell migration occur.” (Ann Liebert et al, 2019 Nov 1; 37(11): 681–693. Published online 2019 Nov 12. doi: 10.1089/photob.2019.4628).

Furthermore, AMIS Press published an important paper entitled Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation (M. Hamblin 2017). There, Dr. Hamblin notes: “… One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, …”. Overall reduction in inflamation is a factor that speaks to general systemic effect that photobiomodulation can induce. This finding warrants more studies in order to examine further this systemic effect and its implications.

The Anatomy of Systemic iPBM

The hypothesis is that the blood is the primary carrier of the light energy absorbed during PBM sessions. This assumption triggered anatomic research to pinpoint areas with a good access to the bloodstream. The rational was that placement of a PBM source in such areas could provide the best setup for blood PBM to induce systemic effects.

One such area was the nasal passage with its dense capillary network. The capillaries provide the required access to the bloodstream. Thus, the nasal passage offered a good access point option for the light to enter the blood. However, the question regarding the placement of the light source and delivery method of the light remained.

At this point it makes sense to revisit the creative discovery principle. The process of new and imaginative thinking guided and helped to formulate the idea of a nasal applicator. Thus, the nasal applicator was a simple and elegant solution for the PBM delivery method and the light source placement.

Connecting more dots, the research by French scientists, who found free-floating mitochondria in the blood, validates the intranasal PBM concept. Putting aside the complexities of the science behind this discovery, its importance is undeniable. In terms of PBM, the free-floating mitochondria helps to explain the systemic effect nature of the intranasal photobiomodulation approach.

The post Intranasal Photobiomodulation: Basic Principles first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Intranasal Photobiomodulation: Basic Principles appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

How does light energy from a Vielight intranasal device positioned inside the nose affect the inner systems? This concept could seem unbelievable to the uninitiated. However, those who have used the Vielight red light intranasal devices recognize (and have reported) these full-body effects. Many users experienced positive changes in remote parts of their body, which are attributed to the intranasal light treatment.

We have consistently observed the same phenomenon in our experience with intranasal photobiomodulation (PBM), consistent with literature on PBM research. Several terms have been used to express this effect. For example, one of the terms, “abscopal effects,” is commonly used in cancer therapy. Thus, cancer-fighting drugs applied at one part of the body affect other, remote parts of the body. Other terms describing this phenomenon include “remote PBM” and “circulating factors”. However, these terms are largely viewed as inadequate. Hypothetical explanations have covered the actions of stem cells, platelets, vasodilation, purinergic signaling – each hypothesis having its own merits.

Mechanism of Photobiomodulation

Traditional explanation usually starts with the fundamental mechanism, that is, the action of the mitochondria. Except for red blood cells, mitochondria are found in all cells in the human body. They are the powerhouses of those cells. Mitochondria absorb nutrients from our food and, in a series of biochemical reactions, produce energy-rich molecules. Consequently, these molecules are used to fuel all processes in our bodies.

What is of great interest to PBM, and largely unnoticed in conventional biology, is the ability of the mitochondria to absorb red and near infrared (NIR) light to improve body and brain functions. However, for PBM to take effect, the light in the red and NIR spectra must reach the mitochondria. When that happens, they turn on the gene activating proteins and release nitric oxide to relax blood vessel walls, which also improves blood circulation.

Free-floating Mitochondria and Its Role in Systemic Intranasal Photobiomodulation

Mitochondria have been commonly recognized as embedded inside eukaryotic cells, which are the most common type of human cells. That is now found to be NOT true. French scientists recently showed that numerous free-floating mitochondria are present in the blood circulatory system. They are not all embedded in our cells. This also means we can now potentially deliver therapeutic lights to mitochondria simply by lighting up the blood.

Furthermore, these free-floating mitochondria are considered “respiratory-competent” or ready for activation via PBM. Importantly, the effect of PBM can spread throughout the body via the circulatory system. Consequently, the intranasal photbiomodulation effect becomes systemic. This means that it can reach regions that are remote from the point of irradiation and deliver whole-body, systemic effects.

A Canadian study has found that platelets release these mitochondria to various parts of the body. Platelets, responsible for blood clotting, are mitochondria-rich cells present in the blood. The mitochondria of these cells can also be activated in the same way as in other eukaryotic cells when they are exposed to red or NIR light. The resulting respiratory-competent, energy-producing mitochondria could be released and be attributable for numerous free-floating or extracellular mitochondria in the blood system.

In summary, the presence of free-floating mitochondria in the blood is a credible explanation for the systemic effect of PBM when the blood is irradiated with red and NIR light. The Vielight intranasal devices, particularly the ones with the visible red light applicators, irradiate the blood and induce the systemic effect. The presence and activity of free-floating mitochondria help to explain why we experience systemic whole-body effects of PBM with the Vielight intranasal devices.

The above content was contributed by Dr. Lew Lim, PhD., Founder & CEO of Vielight.

Vielight to Participate in AAPB 2020

Biofeedback and neurofeedback researchers and practitioners will be gathering for their annual event at AAPB 2020 in La Jolla, California on April 1-4, 2020. Dr. Lew Lim is scheduled to deliver an oral presentation entitled, “Photobiomodulation as Adjunct Intervention for Neurofeedback”.
According to Dr. Lim, “Based on what we have learned over the last few years, we feel that neurofeedback practitioners are missing a lot, if they do not have an understanding of photobiomodulation (PBM). It is a safe and easy intervention that can potentially improve the outcomes significantly. I hope to help with the education with this presentation. In addition, Vielight will also have a booth to showcase the various ways to apply PBM.”

Last, but not least, a Vielight neuroscientist, Dr. Mahta Karimpoor, will showcase the capabilities of the Vielight Neuro Pro device. Representing the next step in Vielight’s transcranial PBM (tPBM) technology, this new device is expected to be ready for production by the end of 2020.

Dr. Lew Lim to speak at the online Brain Degeneration Summit

Take this opportunity to learn about Brain Degeneration Summit without physically attending a conference. It is an online summit held between April 6-12, 2020. A group of 33 knowledge leaders are expected to deliver education-rich material focused on support of brain health, and based on natural medicine.

Dr. Lew Lim of Vielight will be presenting his perspective on the use of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), and its relevance to brain degeneration. Dr. Lim will cover the rationale for using tPBM in mitigating the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease, among other applications. His presentation is entitled “Light Therapy for Brain Degeneration”. More information and registration details can be found on Brain Degeneration Summit website by following this link.

Zara Abbaspour, MD, Joins Vielight as a Research Physician

Dr. Zara Abbaspour adds further to the deep multi-disciplinary research talent pool of Vielight. She will provide her knowledge and experience as a research medical doctor. Zara is a board-certified practicing family physician in Iran and served in Germany, prior to her relocation to Canada. She brings specialized experience in psychosomatic and gastrointestinal medicines, as well as emergency medicine. She has been involved in the applications of EEG at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, researching mood and anxiety disorders, and addiction.

Stacey Phelan Joins Vielight’s Customer Service

Vielight continues to prioritize effective customer service. It is a challenging area in view of responding to the information needs of customers by providing evidence-based support without overstating the therapeutic values of the Vielight technology. Originally from the Republic of Ireland, Stacey now resides in Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Public Administration.

The post Intranasal Photobiomodulation Effects: Systemic Nature and Free-Floating Mitochondria first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Intranasal Photobiomodulation Effects: Systemic Nature and Free-Floating Mitochondria appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The words “brain” and “stimulation”, by themselves, are easily recognizable by most people. However, the combination of the two may cause a confusion in some. On its own the word “stimulation” refers to the action of improving performance of something or of someone. Combining the words “brain” and “stimulation” clearly references a process that encourages some transformation or modulation in brain activity.  The lack of clarity appears because there is no explicit reference to what exactly this “brain stimulation” is or does.

Context and Meaning of the Term Brain Stimulation

In the absence of a clear context, this subject can present numerous inferences. A more specific context would be helpful in better understanding the meaning of the term brain stimulation. In some cases, unfortunately, too often, terms like this one are thrown around without much clarity and specific context. In others, they represent a scientific or medical lingo, and can cause moments of intellectual discomfort to a layperson.

Thus, in reference to a healthy individual with no brain related abnormalities, the term “brain stimulation” can mean a few things. For example, maximization of this individual’s cognitive abilities through some form of brain stimulation is one, somewhat generic, option. By establishing these references, you can draw a more cohesive concept that is much easier to understand. Meanwhile, additional information, which can further clarify this concept and process, is still missing. For example, there is no specific reference to the form of stimulation, which is an important condition. There are numerous ways in which a brain can be stimulated, and some are more complex and invasive than others.

You are probably noticing how more contextual clarity can help to define and simplify your understanding of new complex terminology. Now that this matter is out of the way, let’s dive a little deeper into the subject of brain stimulation.

Types of Brain Stimulation Simplified

As often does any intellectually challenging material, brain stimulation requires clarification and even some simplification. Thus, it is easy to identify two general types of brain stimulation based on the levels of its intrusiveness. One is non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), and the other type would be invasive. Each of these types include various forms or modalities of brain stimulation. It most likely sounds to you that the non-invasive brain stimulation would be preferred over the invasive one. In principal, it would be the case, if all modalities of brain stimulation could deliver equal benefits. In reality, selection depends on a specific need at hand, and the capability of a given modality to achieve it.

Without getting deep into complex neurological and medical aspects of various form of brain stimulation, let’s discuss what they are.

Briefly About Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Terms

Non-invasive forms of brain stimulation are gaining attention from both the scientists and the practitioners alike. The more commonly used forms of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) are Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Current Stimulation (TCS). However, one of the most recent forms of non-invasive brain stimulation is Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM) or Transcranial Photoneuromodulation (tPNM). TPBM is rapidly evolving through growing research spurred by its simplicity, low cost and a potentially wide spectrum of applications.

Notably, the word “transcranial” is prominently present in the names of all three forms of non-invasive brain stimulation. Not to be confused with “intracranial” meaning “inside the skull”, transcranial means “passing through the skull”. In the case of non-invasive brain stimulation, the stimulation is delivered transcranially, or from outside of the skull. Such procedure does not require and physical alterations to the skull, neither outside, nor inside. Hence, the name of the procedure, non-invasive brain stimulation.

On the other hand, invasive forms of brain stimulation usually presuppose a direct stimulation of the brain inside the skull. Common techniques of invasive brain stimulation include Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and neurosurgical procedures. These techniques require direct intracranial access to the brain. In simple words, the skull has to be opened surgically in order to deliver stimulation to the brain.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Brain Stimulation

As new technologies evolve, new modalities for therapies emerge. Light therapy, or photobiomodulation (PBM), has been known and studied considerably for over half a century. Recently, a body of promising evidence has emerged from new research in support of the concept of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM). Research studies show that near infrared light (NIR) can penetrate the skull deep enough to reach the brain. Moreover, the studies also show that NIR can affect the brain in a number of meaningful ways.

Thus, the scientists observed that following tPBM sessions using a Vielight Neuro Gamma device, subjects presented increased interconnectivity between influential parts of the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN). (L.L. Chao, 2019). DMN is an important cluster of brain regions responsible for the resting state of brain. Expressly, DMN enables brain activity during periods of rest, when you do not engage in any specific task. Furthermore, DMN engages in the social working memory (SWM). You use social working memory when you are navigating your social world. For example, SWM engages when you may think of friends, colleagues, others’ beliefs and other social paradigms. (M. Meyer & M. Lieberman, Social Working Memory: Neurocognitive Networks and Directions for Future Research, 2012).

Neurodegenerative disorders and transcranial photbiomodulation

The Dr. Chao finding is highly valuable for a number of reasons. One of them is the relationship between DMN functionality and Alzheimer’s Disease. Thus, functional connectivity in the DMN is disrupted in the brains of those suffering from Alzheimer Disease. The transcranial LED modules of the Vielight Neuro devices are specifically designed for placements that target the nodes of the DMN. This fact could potentially explain the increased functional connectivity in Alzheimer’s subjects observed by Dr. Chao.

When it comes to neurodegenerative conditions or an impairment in the brain, tPBM is showing promise. The range of research for applications of tPBM with NIR stimulation is increasing. Today it includes such complex neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, as well as PTSD, stroke and depression. (Berman 2017).

Furthermore, a recently published exploratory study has shown more evidence of the positive effects from brain stimulation by transcranial photobiomodulation. (R. Zamorrodi et al, 2019). The subjects in this study were healthy individuals. It presents that even a single twenty-minute tPBM session, using a Vielight Neuro Gamma device, causes significant changes in brain oscillations.

What are brain oscillations?

Brain oscillations, or neural oscillations, are forms of repetitive electrical activity in the brain. They are considered important building blocks in sensory-cognitive processes. (E. Basar, Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 2013). Moreover, brain oscillations are attributable to firings of neurons in the brain, and can vary in frequency, power and phase. These three parameters are measurable and linkable to certain brain states and activities. The insights from the above study can help to optimize tPBM parameters for brains. Optimization can be done for normal brains, those with neurological anomalies, like Alzheimer’s Disease, and those with trauma, like TBI.

Why Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) using light is important?

The simpler way to respond to this question would be to base it on the benefits of the brain stimulation. Importantly, the fact that the therapy is non-invasive reduces the risks and increases the tolerability of the procedure. Therefore, NIBS using light opens another dimension in its non-invasive characteristics. The procedure becomes not only painless, but maybe even undetectable for those who undergo NIBS using light. In absence of acute sensitivities to light, or irritation by the foreign objects, most would sense only the physical pressure of the tPBM device.

Thus, the primary factors of importance of non-invasive brain stimulation using light, are the benefits that this photobiomodulation can deliver. The extent of these benefits is under the lens of a significant scientific research. A worldwide body of scientific evidence is growing to offer a better understanding of the effects of tPBM on the brain. As this new and exciting field of research is gaining momentum, so does the extent of tPBM applications and benefits. The future of non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation with light looks promising. Meanwhile, it awaits further validation and support from solid, evidence-based research. You can expect more news, as new research finds its way into reputable scientific publications.

The post Brain Stimulation with Light Energy first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Brain Stimulation with Light Energy appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

International media has recently taken note of the work that Vielight is doing in Alzheimer’s Disease research. An article on Vielight’s work was published by a major UK newspaper, The Daily Telegraph. This article was picked up by a number of prominent newspapers. The list of publications includes another leading UK newspaper, Daily News, and Canada’s own National Post, Calgary Herald, Ottawa citizen, Windsor Star, and more.

However, we are not all about Alzheimer’s. There are at least twenty projects on our research schedule, some in collaboration with major research centers. The more notable ones include a traumatic brain injury clinical trial, a study on cognition, meditation, study on blood viscosity, enhancement of sports performance, the mechanism of cellular signaling, EEG responses to various transductions, autism, and PTSD. Information on the published ones can be accessed on this Vielight webpage.

Vielight Scientists about Vielight Research

According to Dr. Genane Loheswaran, PhD., Research Manager at Vielight, “We have a busy but rewarding research program that keeps our team highly motivated, and in search of new discoveries. The idea of covering vast areas of brain conditions and functions may strike many scientists as being too ambitious. However, when one understands that photobiomodulation (PBM), delivered in the right way, is able to treat and affect the power sources of cells – mitochondria, the horizon of possibilities broadens significantly. With PBM, multiple benefits may be expressed, resulting in improvements in numerous functional outcomes.

In our research, using the Vielight Neuro Gamma and Alpha, we consistently observe quick and significant changes in the brain. We record and measure these changes with techniques such as EEG and neuropsychological assessments. The feedback from consumers of Vielight devices continues to surprise even the skeptics in us. It gives us great motivation to pursue new modalities to treat various brain conditions. We also have the unique and exciting opportunity to explore the extent to which we can uncover the potential of the human brain.”

Dr. Lew Lim, PhD., CEO of Vielight, added, “The results of these research efforts tend to lead us to develop even more devices that help people in specific and effective ways. This has always been our goal. With our engineering team in full swing, we hope to translate ideas to make practical and affordable devices. Because the devices are novel and the first of their kind, the challenges are numerous. The high levels of creativity and expertise of our engineering team make these new products a reality.”

Online forums on PBM and Vielight are Expanding

Interest in PBM is growing, and so are the online communities interested in this subject. Much of the discussion on PBM effect on the brain has been dominated by Vielight. This reflects the amount of innovation that stems from the Vielight team mission to improve the quality of lives through cutting-edge knowledge in the field.

Vielight has a Facebook page, where we share company events and the knowledge relevant to PBM and our research. There are also several independent Facebook groups that are great forums for independent sharing. The most relevant is the Vielight Knowledge Exchange Group. We are notably absent or infrequent in our participation for a couple of reasons. One, not to influence sharing of positive, as well as negative experiences. Another, we are not licensed to provide medical advice. Other active Facebook groups are Brain Photobiomodulation Exchange and Research, and Neuro-Photobiomodulation PEMF TDCS TMS.

Where to participate in Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials

There are now two active sites recruiting participants for the Vielight RX Gamma Alzheimer’s Disease pivotal clinical trial. They are St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, and Bruyere Research Institute, Ottawa. In addition, the following sites will be opening soon: Progressive Medical Research, Port Orange, Florida, Healthtech Connex, Surrey, British Columbia, and Boston University School of Medicine. When new sites will be open for registration and recruitment, we will make announcements in our newsletter and social media. To enquire about participation in this trial, contact the managers for the trial, Applied Health Research Centre (AHRC) at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Vielight welcomes Mingyang Chen, Quality and Product Engineer

Mingyang Chen joins Vielight as Quality and Product Engineer, bringing his expertise, which we need, as the company grows. Mingyang graduated from McGill University with a Masters’ degree in Materials Engineering. He will help us to meet our product quality goals and to improve trouble-shooting processes. He brings his experience in quality management, product development and software coding. Such continual strengthening of our team will help us to develop and release ground-breaking products that surprise with their practicality.

The post Vielight Research Grows first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Vielight Research Grows appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.