What is the place of photobiomodulation in a neurofeedback practice?

Every neurofeedback practitioner is aware that human brains prioritize resourcing and organization based on what they pay the most attention to. However, not everyone is aware that photobiomodulation can be an effective way to recruit the brain’s attentional networks for better results.

Neurofeedback and photobiomodulation are relatively new fields. For many, they are still somewhat esoteric fields of brain stimulation, training and modulation. Incidentally, both began their development in the late 1950s. The field of neurofeedback originated in California, while the field of PBM started in Hungary by accident. Furthermore, both can help the brain deal with complex issues while complementing each other.

The brain is an adaptive and self-reinforcing system, and neurofeedback, as a form of brain modulation, attempts to retrain neural response patterns. However, even the most effective neurofeedback interventions can encounter less responsive central nervous systems. Luckily, neurofeedback providers can benefit from having multiple ways to supply information to the brain. Thus, some brains will respond better to tPBM or to a combination of tPBM and EEG feedback. Therefore, having access to modern technological tools that offer a variety of viable brain-training options can improve neurofeedback’s outcomes.

Recent Developments in Photobiomodulation

Photobiomodulation has emerged as a promising therapy for ameliorating symptoms associated with both mental health and neurophysiological conditions. Early findings recorded in the literature indicate that photobiomodulation has significant clinical potential in the treatment of a number of brain-based disorders. These include, but not limited to, traumatic brain injury (Henderson, 2016), Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (Johnstone, 2015), improving executive function (Barrett, 2013), memory (Rojas, 2012), stroke and developmental disorders (Hamblin, 2016), and depression (Cassano, 2015).

A meta-analysis of articles examining the link between photobiomodulation and biological processes such as metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress and neurogenesis suggest that these processes are potentially effective targets for photobiomodulation to treat depression and brain injury. There is also preliminary clinical evidence suggesting the efficacy of photobiomodulation in treating major depressive disorder, comorbid anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation (Cassano, 2016).

Pairing tPBM’s documented enhancement of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and synaptogenesis (Hennessy, 2017) with EEG-based feedback paradigms that focus on supporting neural connectivity (Collura, 2008) potentially offers a novel approach to building better brain infrastructure at any age.

Why is photobiomodulation technology synergetic with neurofeedback? 

Neurofeedback is often based on scalp electroencephalography (EEG), which measures cortical activity, and doesn’t explicitly include activity from subcortical brain regions. However, a specialized transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) system, like Vielight Neuro Pro for example, can deliver NIR light to the brain stem. It can offer a more direct impact to lower central nervous system circuitry. This is one way specialized photobiomodulation technology can complement neurofeedback and help to improve its timeline and effects.

As a source of light, tPBM supports the brain energetically, helping it with energy supply to build new connections. Neurofeedback specialists can take advantage of this new optimized state that is supportive of learning. Furthermore, when this happens, neurofeedback training can help the brain to develop better cognitive functions.

Moreover, technically astute neurofeedback practitioners may prefer additional customization options from their tPBM device to further improve outcomes. They may want to directly impact neural network patterns, particularly if they are qEEG users. This group of neurofeedback specialists may prefer to use advanced features of a professional tPBM system. For example, features like phase synchrony/asynchrony of tPBM pulsing, or options to develop a database of specialized tPBM programs that complement neurofeedback.

What are the benefits of combining neurofeedback and brain photobiomodulation? 

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that is based specifically on brain activity. To put it simply, neurofeedback utilizes neuroplasticity to modulate and change the brain’s response to various stimuli. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and change. To attain such change, the brain needs to go through training. Thus, during the training, the brain learns to adopt a new response to a known stimulus.

Interestingly, additional stimulus or stimuli may be introduced to help the brain change its response. For example, light, color, sound, and tactile sensations are some of the primary stimuli that can be used to retrain the brain during neurofeedback sessions.

Brain photobiomodulation is a way to deliver the light to the brain. Therefore, it can be used as an additional stimulus for neurofeedback. A specialized tPBM system can become a very useful and synergetic tool in neurofeedback. For example, it can act as a mechanism for priming the brain prior to a neurofeedback session. It can also open numerous opportunities for creative approaches to improving neurofeedback outcomes.

Furthermore, neurofeedback practitioners are well aware that some individuals have difficulty tolerating initial neurofeedback sessions. This can be either because of anxiety or sensory processing issues. Therefore, having an alternative intervention that is less time-intensive and doesn’t involve pastes or gels can be helpful. It can provide some early alleviation of symptom intensity until the client is more comfortable with the neurofeedback process.

Effects of transcranial PBM on the brain 

Brain PBM, or tPBM, can be helpful for the brain on cellular level. It helps to support the brain by transcranially delivering the energy of the near-infrared (NIR) light directly to the neurons.

Current abundant research shows that NIR has the best penetration rate and is particularly suitable for brain stimulation and modulation. Although the research into tPBM has a long way to go, the science behind tPBM is gaining acceptance

While therapeutic uses of red light across the body are well documented, research into the effects of various light pulsation frequencies on the brain are more limited. The most commonly known tPBM frequencies are 10 Hz (Alpha) and 40 Hz (Gamma). Both correspond to the respective alpha and gamma oscillations in the brain. Most of the tPBM pulse frequency related research is focused on these two frequencies and below. Thus, the effects of the higher frequency pulse rates on the brain need more research. Modern tPBM systems offer more sophisticated options to conduct tPBM-related research.

The importance of specialized tPBM hardware for neurofeedback 

The absence of hardware suitable for extended research utilizing higher pulse frequencies has been somewhat of a hindrance. However, over the last few years, tPBM research has made significant progress opening the doors for deeper knowledge dives. Thus, both the researchers and practitioners utilizing tPBM are showing interest in studying and analyzing the effects of higher pulse frequencies on the brain.

Furthermore, new technologies and growing body of knowledge are helping to improve the capabilities of new tPBM hardware. For example, the recently introduced Vielight Neuro Pro tPBM system allows setting the pulse frequency between 0 and 10,000 Hz. The Neuro Pro’s numerous other variables can also be changed to find the best possible fit for the task at hand.

Why brain photobiomodulation should be of interest for neurofeedback practitioners?

Many neurofeedback practitioners have already discovered the beneficial synergies between neurofeedback and brain photobiomodulation. Thus, some use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), others use Frequency and Power Neurofeedback, and there are other forms and options. While practitioners can use different tools for and types of neurofeedback in their practice, many principles stay common.

For example, the concepts of brain mapping and brain priming are familiar to many neurofeedback practitioners. While brain mapping requires measuring tools, brain priming requires interventional tools. However, interventions do not have to be invasive.

One form of noninvasive intervention for brain priming can be transcranial photobiomodulation. There are neurofeedback practitioners who have already discovered the important and effective synergies that tPBM can offer in their work.

Photobiomodulation Research References: 

Barrett D.W., Gonzalez-Lima F. Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans. Neuroscience. 2013;230:13–23. [PubMed]

Cassano P., Petrie S.R., Hamblin M.R., Henderson T.A., Iosifescu D.V. Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis. Neurophotonics. 2016;3:031404. [PubMed]

Cassano P., Cusin C., Mischoulon D., Hamblin M.R., De Taboada L., Pisoni A., Chang T., Yeung A., Ionescu D.F., Petrie S.R., Nierenberg A.A., Fava M., Iosifescu D.V. Near-infrared transcranial radiation for major depressive disorder: proof of concept study. Psychiatry J. 2015;2015:352979. [PubMed]

Collura, T.F. (2008) Towards a coherent view of brain connectivity. Journal of Neurotherapy. 12, 2–3, 99–110.

De Freitas L.F., Hamblin M.R. Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy. IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 2016;22:7000417.

Gonzalez-Lima F., Barrett D.W. Augmentation of cognitive brain functions with transcranial lasers. Front. Syst. Neurosci. 2014;8:36. [PubMed]

Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA Clinical, 6, 113–124. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.09.002

Henderson T.A., Morries L.D. Near-infrared photonic energy penetration: can infrared phototherapy effectively reach the human brain? Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat. 2015;11:2191–2208.[PubMed]

Henderson T.A. Multi-watt near-infrared light therapy as a neuroregenerative treatment for traumatic brain injury. Neural Regen. Res. 2016;11:563–565. [PubMed]

More References: 

Henderson T.A., Morries L.D. SPECT perfusion imaging demonstrates improvement of traumatic brain injury with transcranial near-infrared laser phototherapy. Adv. Mind Body Med. 2015;29:27–33.[PubMed]

Hennessy, M., & Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Photobiomodulation and the brain: a new paradigm. Journal of Optics (2010), 19(1), 013003–. https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/19/1/013003

Johnstone D.M., Moro C., Stone J., Benabid A.L., Mitrofanis J. Turning on lights to stop neurodegeneration: the potential of near infrared light therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Front. Neurosci. 2015;9:500. [PubMed]

Rojas J.C., Bruchey A.K., Gonzalez-Lima F. Low-level light therapy improves cortical metabolic capacity and memory retention. J. Alzheimers Dis. 2012;32:741–752. [PubMed]

Rojas, JC., Gonzalez-Lima, F. Neurological and psychological applications of transcranial lasers and LEDs. Biochem Pharmacol. 2013 Aug 15;86(4):447-57. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.06.012. Epub 2013 Jun 24.

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Mehr als ein halbes Jahrzehnt ist vergangen, seit wir den ersten Vielight Neuro auf den Markt gebracht haben, und es ist an der Zeit, die Gründe für sein Design zu überprüfen und zu bekräftigen. Als Pioniere der transkraniell-intranasalen Hirnphotobiomodulationstechnologie gibt es mehrere wichtige Gründe, warum unser neuestes Modell, das Vielight Neuro 3, in der Lage ist, auch in absehbarer Zukunft die höchste Wirksamkeit in Verbindung mit einem benutzerfreundlichen Design zu einem erschwinglichen Preis zu bieten.

• Der intranasale Vorteil
• Die Wahl: Vielight Neuro Headset oder wiederverwendete Helme?
• Ausrichtung auf das Standardmodusnetz
• Die Theorie hinter den Pulsraten
• Validierung durch Forschung

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Der intranasale Vorteil

“Warum die Nase?” – Diesen Satz haben wir schon viel zu oft gehört.

Wir haben die Nase wegen ihrer Lage und Struktur ausgewählt. Die Nase ist ein Einfallstor für die 810nm-Lichtenergie im nahen Infrarot (NIR), um den ventralen Bereich (Unterseite) des Gehirns zu erreichen, der sonst unzugänglich wäre. Die Regionen des Gehirns, die sich auf der Unterseite des Gehirns befinden, spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei emotionalen Reaktionen, Entscheidungsfindung und Selbstkontrolle. Darüber hinaus ist der nasale (olfaktorische) Bereich direkt mit der Gedächtnisverarbeitung (Hippocampus, entorhinaler Kortex) und der Emotionssteuerung (Amygdala) verbunden und ermöglicht den Zugang zu anderen Bereichen des Gehirns (Thalamus).

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Die Wahl: Vielight Neuro Headset oder wiederverwendete Helme?

Es mag verlockend sein, einen Fahrradhelm, einen Hut oder einen Eimer zu nehmen, ihn mit LEDs zu bestücken und ihn ein “Photobiomodulationsgerät für das Gehirn” zu nennen.
Aber haben Sie schon einmal darüber nachgedacht, ob sie wirksam sind?

Nach einem Jahrzehnt Erfahrung als eines der ersten Unternehmen im Bereich der Photobiomodulation des Gehirns haben wir gelernt, dass eine effektive Photobiomodulation des Gehirns nicht so einfach ist. Vor allem, wenn wir ein Gerät anbieten wollen, das auf sichere Weise ein Maximum an Licht in das Gehirn leitet.

Als forschungsorientiertes Unternehmen haben wir festgestellt, dass bei der Maximierung der Wirksamkeit der Photobiomodulation des Gehirns mehrere Schlüsselfaktoren ins Spiel kommen.

     1. Übertragung von NIR-Lichtenergie

NIR-Lichtenergie ist eine Form der elektromagnetischen Strahlung, die aus Teilchen wie Photonen besteht, die wellenartige Eigenschaften haben.

In der Natur kann Lichtenergie die Zellphysiologie eines Organismus beeinflussen, aber wie bringen wir sie richtig an?

Mehrere Eigenschaften der Lichtenergie beeinflussen die Übertragung von NIR-Energie auf das Gehirn.

• Die Lichtenergie wird bei der Ausbreitung über Entfernungen schwächer, weil die inverse square law of light.  
• Lichtenergie wird vom Haar absorbiert.

Angesichts dieser beiden Faktoren sind Helme/Hüte usw. nicht ideal für die Photobiomodulation des Gehirns. Zusätzlich zu dem Energieverlust, der entsteht, wenn das Licht aus dem Helm/der Mütze/dem Hut usw. austritt, werden die Haare zu einer Hemmschwelle, da sie das Restlicht absorbieren, da die schwebenden LEDs keinen Kontakt mit der Haut haben.

Zweitens ist die Positionierung der LEDs für die Wirksamkeit entscheidend. Die LEDs müssen in den Bereichen des Gehirns positioniert werden, die am stärksten betroffen sind. Die Qualität der ausgewählten Stellen in Verbindung mit Leistung und Frequenz ist wichtiger als die bloße Anzahl der wahllos platzierten LEDs, die zu weit von der Kopfhaut entfernt sind.

Schlimmer noch, sie erzeugen und speichern unbrauchbare/unregulierte Wärme und beeinträchtigen den Komfort und die Tragbarkeit, da sie an Steckdosen angeschlossen werden müssen.

Und schließlich fehlt es den “Einheitsgrößen”-Designs an der Anpassungsfähigkeit an unterschiedliche Kopfgrößen. Igitt!

Geben Sie den Neuro

Figure 1. Penetration of NIR energy into a human cadaver using the Vielight Neuro.

Das Vielight Neuro ist für eine maximale Übertragung der Lichtenergie ausgelegt.

Das Headset der Neuro hat einen angeborenen Designvorteil, da die LED-Module der Neuro so konzipiert wurden, dass sie den Kontakt mit der Kopfhaut maximieren. Die mikrochip-gesteuerten LED-Module kontrollieren auch die Wärmeleistung,

Außerdem ist das Neuro-Headset so konzipiert, dass es sich an verschiedene Kopfgrößen und -formen anpassen lässt. Komfort und Effektivität für Ihr wichtigstes Organ – Ihr Gehirn.

     2. LED-Technologie

Ein berühmter Küchenchef sagte einmal: “Es ist ganz einfach: Gute Zutaten ergeben ein gutes Essen. Eine weitere wichtige Zutat (oder ein Faktor) bei der Photobiomodulation des Gehirns ist die Art der verwendeten LED-Technologie. Das Vielight Neuro verwendet mikrochip-geregelte LED-Dioden, die die gewünschte Leistung bei vernachlässigbarer Wärme erzeugen. Dadurch können die LEDs in direktem Kontakt mit der Kopfhautoberfläche stehen, um die Energieübertragung und -durchdringung zu maximieren.

Andererseits ist die Verwendung zahlreicher minderwertiger LEDs kein “Rezept für eine Katastrophe”, sondern für einen Misserfolg, da sie das Fehlen einer Wärmeregulierungstechnologie häufig durch eine geringere Leistungsdichte kompensieren. Bei Vielight kann unsere proprietäre LED-Technologie so viel Energie wie nötig innerhalb sicherer und effizienter Grenzen extrahieren.

     3. Sind mehr LEDs besser?

Nicht unbedingt – erstens müssen die LEDs genügend Energie mit der richtigen Wellenlänge erzeugen, um den Schädel zu durchdringen. Es ist wenig sinnvoll, eine hohe Gesamtleistung zu erzeugen, wenn nichts davon das Gehirn erreicht.

Als Verbraucher sollten Sie sich immer über den Unterschied zwischen Leistungsdichte (mW/cm2) und Gesamtleistung (mW) im Klaren sein. Die Leistungsdichte ist wichtig, nicht die Gesamtleistungsabgabe. Leistungsdichte und Wellenlänge (810 nm) sind die beiden wichtigsten Faktoren, die bestimmen, ob Photonen den Schädel durchdringen und das Gehirn erreichen. Die Gesamtausgangsleistung kann eine irreführende Angabe sein, da sie leicht durch die Verwendung vieler LEDs mit geringer Leistung und schlechter Qualität erreicht werden kann.

Das Sprichwort “Qualität vor Quantität” trifft hier zu!

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Ausrichtung auf das Standardmodusnetz

There are approximately 86 billion neurons in the human brain. That’s a lot of neurons. For reference, there are approximately 200-400 billon stars in our galaxy.  Neurons are highly interconnected – our brain stimulation optimization theory is to pick the most important regions that show the highest interconnectivity. Hence, our research team chose the default mode network (DMN) as the primary target for the Vielight Neuro. Here’s why.

The Vielight Neuro targets the Default Mode Network.

• Why the Default Mode Network?

The general health of the brain is often associated with the health of the default mode network (DMN), often considered the template network of the brain. It is a large-scale brain network primarily composed of the lateral parietal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus and the entorhinal cortex. The DMN is prominent when the brain is in its quiet state of repose.^[1] Several brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease has been associated with dysfunctional DMN.^[2]

In a nutshell, the Default Mode Network (DMN) has been linked to the general health of the brain and is involved in various domains of cognitive and social processing. Do you know of a better target for brain photobiomodulation? If so, let us know.

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The Theory behind Pulse Rates

We have found that the pulse rate matters in brain PBM. The brain responds to pulse rate stimulation in specific ways. When we stimulate a healthy brain in gamma (40 Hz), we can elevate the amplitude of gamma and other fast waves in alpha and beta in the brain while reducing those of the slow delta and theta ^[3]. Independent researchers have found success in the use of the Vielight Neuro Gamma for dementia ^[4] , Parkinson’s Disease ^[5] ; and the Vielight Alpha (10 Hz) in traumatic brain injury ^[6] . However, please note that our devices are still general wellness device and not medical devices. We don’t claim efficacy for any indication and can only point towards research already published with our devices. (https://www.vielight.com/de//research)

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Validation via Research

At Vielight, research is in our DNA. We understand the need to validate the engineering theory behind our devices with scientific data. A simple idea like placing LEDs on your head can turn surprisingly complex when taking different parameters into account, like the pulse rate, wavelength and power density to maximize efficacy.

With that in mind, we’ve invested heavily in research and clinical trials over the years. In fact, Vielight devices have the most published research in the field of brain photobiomodulation to date.

For a full list of published research that used our devices: Link

We’re grateful to all the research institutions we’ve collaborated with over the years and look forward to a bright future of discoveries together.

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References

1. Sormaz, Mladen; Murphy, Charlotte; Wang, Hao-Ting; Hymers, Mark; Karapanagiotidis, Theodoros; Poerio, Giulia; Margulies, Daniel S.; Jefferies, Elizabeth; Smallwood, Jonathan (2018). “Default mode network can support the level of detail in experience during active task states”
2. Buckner, R. L.; Andrews-Hanna, J. R.; Schacter, D. L. (2008). “The Brain’s Default Network: Anatomy, Function, and Relevance to Disease”. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
3. Zomorrodi, R., Loheswaran, G., Pushparaj, A., & Lim, L. (2019). Pulsed Near Infrared Transcranial and Intranasal Photobiomodulation Significantly Modulates Neural Oscillations: a pilot exploratory study. Scientific Reports, 9.
4. Chao LL. Effects of Home Photobiomodulation Treatments on Cognitive and Behavioral Function, Cerebral Perfusion, and Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Patients with Dementia: A Pilot Trial. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019 Mar;37(3):133-141. doi: 10.1089/photob.2018.4555.
5. Liebert A, Bicknell B, Laakso EL, Heller G, Jalilitabaei P, Tilley S, Mitrofanis J, Kiat H. Improvements in clinical signs of Parkinson’s disease using photobiomodulation: a prospective proof-of-concept study. BMC Neurol. 2021 Jul 2;21(1):256. Doi: 10.1186/s12883-021-02248-y.
6. Chao LL, Barlow C, Karimpoor M, Lim L. Changes in Brain Function and Structure After Self-Administered Home Photobiomodulation Treatment in a Concussion Case. Front Neurol. 2020;11:952. Published 2020 Sep 8. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.00952

The post Understanding the Vielight Neuro 3 first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

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A creative and curious mind can be a beginning of something new, something important, even something big. This is as true in the field of arts as it is in the field of sciences. This article offers one more testament to these observations.

Penijean Gracefire is a licensed mental health counsellor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. She focuses on the applications of neurofeedback in her work with clients. Like many neurofeedback practitioners, she is excited by technology that can help her in her work. Unlike most, she is a techno geek, when it comes to her tools. Moreover, her interest in and fascination with technology helps her to discover new ways of helping her clients. She also happened to have an affinity for engineering and innovation, and pushes the frontier of her tools to the limits.

Thus, one day Penijean discovered trascranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) and Vielight’s tPBM devices. What happened when a talented neurofeedback practitioner with a curious mind decided on combining neurofeedback with photobiomodulation. Let’s find out the answer directly from Penijean Gracefire, LMHC.

How long have you been working with transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM)?

Penijean: I’ve been interested in how light affects brains and bodies for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I joke that my interest in the therapeutic applications of light began when I was four years old. That is when I discovered that I could soothe a fussy younger sibling using a prism. Even as a child I noticed that my mood was affected by light and color, and I wanted to know why.

I picked up my first infrared light therapy device in 2005. Then I spent some years using tPBM for peripheral applications, such as relaxation and pain management.

What have brought you to tPBM initially and why did you stay with it?

Penijean: My initial experience using tPBM to stimulate the peripheral nervous system was informative and useful. However, I found that the applications were limited for my interests. Eventually I moved on to interventions that focused more on the central nervous system.

In 2017, I met Dr. Lew Lim at a neurofeedback conference. Our discussion of his Vielight Neuro device reignited my interest in tPBM. At that time I had been sitting on ideas for integrating infrared stim (stimulation) into a closed loop neuromodulation design. Dr. Lim was willing to allow me to use the Vielight platform to start creating new techniques. My design concept incorporated both the tPBM and the neurofeedback protocols.

The early results from the prototype designs were very promising. Thus, tPBM has become a much more central element in my protocol design process. I found it to be an excellent and naturally fitting complement to neurofeedback.

Where do you see synergies between tPBM and neurofeedback?

Penijean: Research indicates that tPBM has potential to support synaptogenesis – the creation of new synapses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4870908/

Neurofeedback relies on brain plasticity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity) to help individuals learn new ways to process information and regulate stress responses. Injury or illness can reduce neural capacity to adapt in real time to the changing demands of our environment. Brains need healthy and flexible neural networks to be able to prioritize and shift attention. Furthermore, they need to have the capacity to signal the central nervous system to wind down and relax. For example, this would be useful when a busy day is over.

Helping brains develop new connections, which support better function, is an important part of neurofeedback training. In my view, tPBM can potentially support the growth of those new pathways.

Combining tPBM with Neurofeedback, have you noticed anything new that could have a strong potential for helping your clients?

Penijean: The “feedback” part of neurofeedback means that we are giving the brain information based on its own behavioral changes. Typically, this feedback consists of musical sounds or visual data displays or, perhaps, an object that physically vibrates. For the feedback to work, it needs to be sufficiently novel and stimulating to recruit the brain’s attention.

After experimenting with and designing a number of innovative feedback techniques, I created the first EEG-modulated pEMF designs. While pEMF stands for pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, EEG stands for electroencephalogram. This protocol design has tremendous therapeutic potential. At the same time, these new integrated training protocols were yielding very exciting results. However, I work with many populations that are medically fragile and have compromised systems. Therefore, not all cases were suitable for the information-dense combination of neurofeedback and pEMF.

Combining Neurofeedback and Photobiomodulation

For some individuals, integrated tPBM and neurofeedback offers the perfect balance. Thus, on the one hand, this combination provides not so much feedback that their system feels overwhelmed. On the other hand, it provides not too little feedback that would fail to effectively recruit the brain’s attention.

I adapted my designs and created the first closed loop EEG-modulated pNIR (pulsed near-infrared light) protocols. This means that the individual not only simultaneously receives both the tPBM and the neurofeedback, but the NIR pulses themselves are changing in real time based on live EEG.

The combination of neurofeedback and tPBM is like a conversation with a wise friend while sitting in the afternoon sun. You receive both, the benefits of learning new helpful things about yourself and the benefits of absorbing natural light.

TPBM is the light source that supports your brain energetically, as it builds new connections. When this happens, the neurofeedback takes advantage of this optimized learning state to help your brain develop better cognitive function.

Can you provide some examples of how you employ tPBM in your neurofeedback practice?

Penijean: The practical flexibility of tPBM in a clinical setting is one of its strengths. Whether I use tPBM as a standalone therapeutic approach or combine it with other modalities often depends on individual needs.

Some people are sufficiently responsive. Thus, for them, 5-10 minutes of tPBM by itself is enough to produce a noticeable impact. Other people are a little more resilient. For those, I may do multiple things in a session, but in a sequence instead of simultaneously.

TPBM can be an effective primer at the beginning of a session before introducing sensory grounding techniques, or heart rate variability training. By applying tPBM to the head, we can help stimulate neural activity immediately prior to a neurofeedback session.

When combining tPBM with other modalities, you are only limited by your own creativity. Therefore, I try to be as creative as appropriate. For example, I may have someone wear a pair of violet eye lenses while receiving a 40hz tPBM stimulation. This helps to create a shift in gamma activity. I can also have someone wear a pair of dark amber or orange lenses, when receiving a 10hz stimulation. This can help to support slowing down into a more alpha-wave friendly state.

I noticed that layering other inputs over tPBM can also help with state flexibility and integration. Thus, utilizing inputs like binaural beats, vibrating sensory aids, or progressive relaxation audio can be helpful.

What benefits do you see tPBM on its own and in combination with neurofeedback can provide at this stage?

Penijean: A helpful way to think about these modalities is in terms of how much of a resource demand they place on a nervous system. This can be in terms of demand on attention, arousal, processing and integration. Each technique is a different way of asking the brain to prioritize and learn from specific types of sensory information. Furthermore, different brains may respond differently to the stimuli.

Some brains learn more easily when we present information to them in simpler ways. Those people make quicker, more noticeable progress, if they receive tPBM and neurofeedback separately. This separation can be done either during different sessions, or at different times during a session.

Other brains have more capacity for integrating complex information. They seem to benefit more from the combination of neurofeedback and tPBM. Often such individuals are less medically fragile and have more physical resources to help them process more dense cognitive tasks.

Both of these approaches are beneficial. Usually, we start with the simpler approach and build up over time to more complex feedback designs.

What benefits do your clients report during and following your protocols that include tPBM?

Penijean: Clients report results across a wide spectrum. Some improvements are expected, such as better sleep, more functional attention and cognitive flexibility, and less anxiety. However, I am pleasantly surprised by how frequently clients report unanticipated benefits.

For example, one elderly woman recovered her ability to remember music that she thought she lost years ago. An executive who came to reduce his anxiety around work was very happy to discover his golf game improved significantly. Children, brought in by parents concerned about academic performance, have noticed improved visual integration, better frontal lobe inhibition, and increased social awareness. As you can see, there is a lot to learn.

As you are aware, Vielight has developed and will be launching a unique new tPBM device, the Neuro Pro. What do you think the applications of the Neuro Pro can be for neurofedback practitioners and their patients specifically?

Penijean: Being both a health and wellness practitioner and a designer of innovative ways to interact with the brain, I am limited only by two things. These things are my own creativity, and the capabilities of my tools. I am someone who tends to push devices to their limits. Therefore, I am always looking for user interfaces that allow as much customization and choice as the platform can support.

The Neuro Pro is the type of device, which will allow to design and build tPBM sessions specifically tailored to a specific individual. The capacity for programming a series of pulses based on a person’s unique EEG signatures will be unprecedented.

While not every practitioner will want to design their own protocols, the Neuro Pro will still provide the platform for all practitioners to run the protocols developed by researchers.

New Brain Modulation Techniques

When new effective brain modulation techniques emerge, they can only spread as widely as the availability of the technology. Neuro Pro will support the innovation of new tPBM protocols. At the same time it will provide the devices by which these protocols can be implemented and used.

This means that neurofeedback providers will be able to pair up more precise tPBM protocols with the customized EEG biofeedback. Techniques that have not been possible before, such as cross frequency coupling feedback timed synced with near infrared pulses, to improve neural networks, or ramping frequency delivery protocols that help the brain learn state flexibility, may become much more accessible.

What could be the applications of this device for researchers and health and wellness practitioners dealing with human brains?

Penijean: One of the critical principles of interacting with the brain in effective ways is being able to observe and, to a degree, mimic some of the complex dynamics, which make up flexible neural states. The brain habituates quickly to repetitive stimuli, because so it can prioritize its limited resources.

The Neuro Pro offers the possibility of building more sophisticated and precise tPBM protocols. These protocols could not only capture the brain’s attention better, but also could produce informational sequences, which more closely match neural patterns. Thus, this Vielight device opens potential for advanced stimulation designs that can target network behaviors with more nuance and specificity.

What else would you like to add in conclusion?

Penijean: In an increasingly tech savvy society, as we are suffering from the habitual overexposure to specific light frequencies from heavy screen use, it seems poetic to me that we may be able to help rewire these brains using other types of light. The light is information. Our bodies rely on light sources to help us regulate various systems and functions. Thus, regulating circadian rhythms, affecting our sleep cycles, our immune systems, our metabolism, and our mental health are some possibilities.

Wavelengths of light are a language. The more we learn, the better we can speak to our body in ways, which it recognizes as familiar and healing. Transcranial photobiomodulation could be an invaluable mechanism in our pursuit of improving brain’s function and wellbeing.

The post Combining Neurofeedback with Photobiomodulation first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Combining Neurofeedback with Photobiomodulation appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Only a few years ago brain stimulation was a closed playground. It was destined for cutting edge science and research. However, today, general wellness devices can stimulate your brain and help to boost your mental acuity right at your home.

Brain wellness is garnering a lot of attention over the recent decade. Even younger adults, those under forty, are interested in supporting their brain. This interest is not without bases. Thus, statistical data is painting an unpleasant picture that shows proliferation of dementia in our society. That is a strong enough stimulus for fear to trigger a sympathetic response in the brain. Truly, the perspective of suffering through dementia is not a particularly appealing scenario for anyone. No wonder people are searching for ways to support and help their brain.

Brain Stimulation Devices

Among options available to support brain wellness, brain stimulation devices are the newest category of products. Some of them are medical devices and some are general wellness devices. The latter category intended to help in supporting brain wellness. Let’s dig in deeper.

Even for those with highly consumerist attitudes and high expectations it can be hard to imagine that a small and strange-looking contraption can stimulate the brain. Furthermore, the new technology pushes this category of device even further, and some brain stimulation devices can do their job anywhere. Thus, no need to go to a specialized laboratory or some other dedicated facility.

For example, you can simply pop the device on your head, press a button, and off goes a brain stimulation session. Moreover, no drilling required, so the number of holes in your body will not increase. You can also preserve your lovely skull in its original shape, which is likely an important factor for many.

Funny things aside, the fact that today anyone can purchase an at-home-use brain stimulation device has to be awe-inspiring. A specialized consumer device that can deliver neural stimulation in an unsupervised, self-administered session is worth appreciation and continued research. That is exactly what Vielight and many researchers do.

Are Vielight Brain Modulation Devices Safe

Furthermore, speaking about such devices, it is important to note that Vielight is a leading designer and manufacturer of brain stimulation devices. The Vielight devices utilize near infrared light (NIR) to reach and stimulate the brain transcranially.

Not less important is the fact that this form of neural stimulation, photoneuromodulation (PNM) or transcranial photobimodulation (tPBM), is noninvasive. Moreover, it is likely the least invasive form of neural stimulation. Therefore, the Vielight brain stimulation devices are not only simple in exploitation, but also safe and noninvasive consumer-focused products.

Neural Stimulation vs Brain Stimulation vs Brain Modulation

Do you find some of the terminology around brain stimulation to be confusing? Sometimes you can hear or read terms neural stimulation, sometimes, brain stimulation, brain modulation and sometimes, transcranial photobiomodulation. Although these terms may sound somewhat different, in general, they refer to similar processes, and some use them interchangeably. For example, transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a form of brain stimulation. On the other hand, neural stimulation can be used completely interchangeably with brain stimulation and means exactly the same.

However, brain modulation has somewhat different connotations. Unlike the other terms, it implies the process of changes to the brain, and not just its stimulation. Thus, Vielight tPBM devices do both, brain stimulation and brain modulation.

Neural Stimulation and Brain Wellness

At this point you might have questions about how brain stimulation translates into brain wellness. A simple answer is stimulation presumes that something will happen to change the status quo, or the current state of something. In this case the brain is the subject of change.

For example, some of you may have experienced slower reaction and some sort of decline in mental focus. Such changes could happen because some of the neurons may become hypoxic over time. There can be a number of reasons for such changes. Natural aging of the brain is one of them.

When this happens, your neural networks may not function as well as they once where. In this case, the focus of brain stimulation could be on improving mental acuity. Thus, a tPBM device could help to stimulate the neurons in the brain. Following stimulation, some of the hypoxic neurons could become more active. They can start firing again and participating in the creation of stronger neural networks. Consequently, this type of brain stimulation can provide support for the brain. It can also lead to improvements in mental acuity and overall brain wellness.

Non-medical Brain Stimulation

However, it is important to note that this form of brain stimulation in not medical. This means that it is not intended to cure an illness or its specific symptoms. On the other hand, the goal is to provide support for the brain, improve mental acuity and to delay brain’s aging.

The devices that can offer such stimulation fall in the category of general wellness devices. These are not medical devices. Of course, there are other forms of brain stimulation and neural modulation. Some of them can support general brain wellness, others have medical use, yet there are those that can do both. However, that would be a subject for another article.

At-home Brain Modulation 

As you may recall from the above, a big thing about modern brain stimulation devices is their simplicity of use. On the one hand, new technology is very sophisticated. On the other, it allows to simplify many functions. It is also conducive of compact product designs, which can comfortably fit with any settings of a personal dwelling. After all, you would only need a small footprint to put the device on. It can be not much bigger than the size of a book. Furthermore, the latest brain stimulation devices can be also so simple in exploitation that anyone can use them at home.

For example, Vielight products are known for their simplicity and one-button-push operation. This is manageable even on the days when you are very tired or have little energy. No need to deal with complex contraptions or unruly technology. Instead, the Vielight device offer simple design and one button to press to start brain stimulation and neural modulation.

The post Brain Stimulation Devices Boosting General Wellness first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Brain Stimulation Devices Boosting General Wellness appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Personal wellness has become a very hot subject over the last decade. The majority of interest in this subject area is focused on physical wellness, mostly of the body. Thankfully, more and more people are realizing the importance of brain wellness. There is a growing interest in maintaining a healthy brain and cognitive “sharpness.”  The latter refers to mental or cognitive acuity.

Thus, there is more and more buzz about such subjects as cognitive or mental acuity. Brain performance, cognitive vitality and general brain wellness are becoming more commonplace subjects of interest to larger audiences. What used to be the domain of biohackers is rapidly moving into mainstream.

Everyone likes to feel good and to be sharp. Maintaining healthy brain function is imperative, if you’re going to remain competitive and competent in the workplace, business, sports and creative endeavors. It is no less important in personal aspects of life and in supporting good quality of life overall. If you want to be sharp, you need to take care of your cognitive acuity.

What is Mental Acuity, or is it Cognitive Acuity? (Potato — Pot[a]to)

The terms mental acuity and cognitive acuity refer to the same functions and abilities of the human brain. Therefore, they are two different ways to name the same thing. While mental acuity is a more commonly used term, cognitive acuity is the preferred term in the scientific community.

Cognitive or mental acuity is one of those terms that everyone seems to understand, but few really know what it actually means. So, what exactly is cognitive acuity? Let’s shed some light on this subject and define it.

If you were to search for “cognitive acuity” on Google, you would quickly notice that there isn’t a great deal of information available on the subject. That’s because cognitive acuity isn’t a thing in and of itself. Instead, it’s a cluster of mental processes that we, as humans, rely on for optimal brain function and performance. Consequently, cognitive acuity refers to the following brain functions:

Information processing

Memory storage

Attention

Situational judgement

Information Processing

Your brain’s capacity to process information is its most important function. The brain has the ability to store, manipulate, and record information that you gather from your environment. You need to be able to sort through all that information in order to make sound and logical decisions with speed and accuracy. (Loftus, G. 2019. Human Memory: The Processing of Information). This process of “sorting” is called information processing and is a major factor contributing to cognitive acuity.

Memory Storage

Your ability to store memories is directly related to your ability to process sensory information. In your everyday life, you are constantly bombarded by various forms of information. You have a great deal of visual information coming in, along with auditory and sensory information (touch, taste, and smell).

Your brain needs to discern which information is relevant and important, and which information should be ignored. Relevant information is further processed into memories, and that isn’t an easy process. Memory storage, whether it’s short-term or long-term memory, is fraught with problems.

Recording and storing memories depends on our capacity to process information quickly and accurately. All information processing in a human brain is fallible to a certain extent. Inevitably, some information gets lost or distorted, as it is coded into a memory. Efficient memory storage relies on sound information processing and on an efficient attentional system. (Loftus, G. 2019. Human Memory: The Processing of Information).

Attention

Attention is the brain’s ability to focus on one task or a single sensory stimulus. More importantly, the brain does it despite the presence of other sensory stimuli competing for your attention. The ability to pick out one thing from your environment and apply concentrated focus to it is a special ability. It is also an ability that can be improved with training.

Most people find it hard to do two things at the same time. Dividing your attention can lead to performance errors and faulty memory coding. To enhance cognitive acuity, it’s best to avoid distractions and practice focused attention. Such practice will improve your brain’s information processing and allow you to have more effective situational judgement: a skill that is crucial for problem solving. (Pashler, H. 2016. Attentional Limitations in Dual-task Performance).

Situational Judgement

According to Peter Leeds, a Behavioral Scientist from the University of Baltimore, effective cognitive or mental acuity plays a direct role in our ability to detect the correct response in any given situation. Making sound decisions that have optimal outcomes is a very important and desired skill. The capacity to make sound decisions depends upon the ability to pay attention to the sensory information coming in and judging how to choose the right response.

Situational judgement is particularly important in fast-paced environments, where split-second decision making is required. This quality relies on the other skills associated with cognitive acuity, specifically, information processing, memory, and attention, as discussed above. (Leeds, P. 2017. Behavior Research Methods).

Speed and accuracy of the brain response and information processing
as a measure of cognitive or mental acuity

To reiterate, cognitive or mental acuity is effectively a measure of the brain’s ability to respond to a stimulus. It accounts for the speed of a response and the quality and relevance of the response. Oftentimes, such measures of response are defined in layman terms as the “sharpness” of the human mind.

To assess an individual’s state of cognitive acuity, one would need to measure the speed of the individual’s brain responses. This can be done on biochemical and biophysical levels, which are very complex processes.

Alternatively, the speed of the brain response can be measured by cognitive tests. These specialized tests examine a number of factors relevant to cognitive or mental acuity. More specifically, these factors can be broken down to responses associated with cognitive focus and concentration, memory, and understanding. In measuring these four categories, it is possible to assess how well the brain performs relative to a benchmark or a baseline.

The sharpness of mind — the speed and the quality of brain responses

We can break down these factors further and add clarity to the definitions, as well as to the subject mater itself. Let’s take a look at what constitutes the speed and the quality of responses, as well as the sharpness of the mind.

It is important to note that cognitive or mental acuity can have an effect on intellectual abilities of an individual. However, although it can affect one’s ability to retrieve knowledge, it does not constitute a measure of one’s intellectual capacity. In more simple terms, the assessment of your mental acuity does not measure how smart you are.

Mental acuity and intellectual capacity: crystalized and fluid intelligence

Thus, cognitive acuity has to do with some of the aspects of brain’s physiological functions affecting fluid intelligence. Fluid intelligence refers to the ability to reason and think flexibly, and to solve problems. Information processing and situational judgement are the factors that support this category.

Mental acuity has less to do with longer-term intellectual capacity, although it can influence crystalized intelligence. Crystallized intelligence refers to the accumulation of knowledge, facts, and skills that are acquired throughout life and the ability to recall and use that knowledge. Memory storage, as discussed earlier, is a relevant factor for this category.

How do benchmarks and baselines help to measure cognitive acuity?

Benchmarks themselves can represent the brain’s capacity to perform a specific task in a given state. For example, there are benchmarks to help estimate cognitive acuity of a healthy brain. Other benchmarks allow assessment of the current state of individual’s mental acuity based on the brain with abnormal functions.

Such abnormalities can range from very mild, to heavily pronounced or severe. The former can occur when a person is tired, for example. The latter can be seen in individuals with complex neurodegenerative disorders. People with neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, score very poorly on cognitive acuity tests. As a result, the more progressed the disease is, the lower is the score on the cognitive acuity test.

Fluctuations in cognitive acuity and cognitive vitality

Individuals with healthy brains can experience drops in the levels of their cognitive acuity. This can happen due to exhaustion, fatigue, stress or illness, among other factors. Such fluctuations in cognitive acuity can be recorded reasonably easily by way of analysis using standardised testing and personal benchmarking.

The records of such analysis can help individuals to better understand what leads to declines in their cognitive acuity. Knowing the cause can help to eliminate or avoid it. If neither is possible, one can elect a therapy to remedy the effects of such cause on the brain and on cognitive acuity.

What is important in assessing cognitive acuity and cognitive vitality?

The reason benchmarks and baselines are important is because they help to assess an individual’s cognitive acuity based on relevant criteria. Numerous factors can be of consideration in establishing the appropriateness of cognitive acuity tests. Thus, age, level of physical fitness and activity, diet and other lifestyle factors can influence cognitive (mental) acuity.

For example, it would make little sense to assess the normal state of mental acuity of an average sixty-year-old and an average sixteen-year-old based on exactly the same criteria. However, some criteria can and will overlap in different age groups, although, the expected performance benchmarks will be different.

How does age affect cognitive acuity?

Studies and empirical data show that, on average, an individual adult’s cognitive acuity deteriorates with age. Notably, numerous factors like lifestyle and diet, fitness and general health can contribute to fluctuations, changes and declines in cognitive acuity.

On average, as is the case with all organs, the brain’s ability to perform its tasks and duties usually deteriorates over time. Therefore, older people are more susceptible to deficiencies in cognitive acuity. Manifestations of such deficiencies can include forgetfulness, decreasing ability to focus and more.

Many of you have heard or even used the phrase, “I am not as sharp as I used to be.” It is a colloquial expression that often refers to a recognition of a decline in mental acuity with age. Importantly, it points to the fact that an individual is capable of recognizing such a decline on his or her own.

What factors contribute to a decline in cognitive acuity?

Numerous factors can contribute to a decline in mental acuity. Among them are environmental factors, lifestyle factors, circadian rhythm factors, factors related to blood oxygenation and blood circulation, genetic factors, and drug-related factors.

Environmental factors

The factors affecting cognitive acuity and cognitive vitality can be environmental, like air and water quality, and exposure to sunlight. Numerous studies support this hypothesis.

Lifestyle factors

The factors affecting cognitive acuity can be personal lifestyle-related factors like physical activity, diet, education, professional and leisure activities.

Duration and quality of sleep also contribute to cognitive acuity and cognitive vitality. The actual effect of lifestyle factors on cognitive vitality remains a subject of ongoing studies and debates. (Arthur F. Kramer et al, 2004, Environmental Influences on Cognitive and Brain Plasticity During Aging).

Blood circulation and blood oxygenation effects on mental acuity

Poor blood circulation and blood oxygenation can be contributing factors to declines in cognitive (mental) acuity. They can also be effects of an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary choices. If you are concerned with your blood circulation and blood oxygenation, it may be a good time to reassess your lifestyle. You can make healthier choices and pay more careful attention to your physical activity routine and your diet.

Circadian rhythms factors

Activity-rest patterns and circadian rhythms can contribute to the variations in mental acuity. Circadian rhythms are regulatory cycles in the brain. They manage your alertness and sleepiness on 24-hour cycles. Your brain will react to changes in the environment based on this 24-hour circadian rhythm cycle. This is a very important and complex regulatory mechanism that developed in mammals over a long period of time.

If your circadian rhythm is off, it may not trigger timely and appropriate responses to the environmental changes from your brain. Thus, you may suffer from insufficient sleep and poor physical recovery, further inhibiting your mental acuity.

Genetic factors

Moreover, genetic factors can play an important role in changes in cognitive or mental acuity and cognitive vitality. If you have dementia or neurodegenerative diseases somewhere in your family tree, you may be more susceptible to such disorders. It is hardly possible to change genetic predispositions, at least at this point in time. However, healthy lifestyle choices may help to decrease the probability of or postpone the onset of neurological disorders.

Drugs related factors

As well, some drugs, both medical and illegal, can be contributors to your mental acuity decline. Various illegal drags can have detrimental effects on your brain’s ability to function normally, and, therefore, on your mental acuity.

Unfortunately, some prescription medications can also have negative effects on your mental acuity. Most commonly, these could occur as side effects of a medication. It is prudent to speak to your physician about the possible side effects and dangers of the medications that you are taking. You can also inquire about remedies to help to mitigate such side effects.

Curiously, some of the contributing factors can also be those that can help to mitigate the changes in mental acuity. This can be possible because an individual can make changes to some of those factors. For example, you can improve your diet, sleep more, exercise better, and the list goes on. These facts have prompted growth of new movements that advocate and promote healthy and natural wellness choices. Biohacking is one of them, and it is gaining popularity worldwide.

New Neuro Modulation Technology Can Help to Improve Mental Acuity

As attention to brain wellness and mental acuity has grown, so has innovation in the space of brain wellness technology. Creative minds in science and technology are cooperating to develop new tools to help you take better care of your brain. Non-invasive neuro modulation is one area of such research and cooperation, and improving mental acuity is one of its goals.

Creative new technologies utilize light, sound, electromagnetic energy and visual stimuli to stimulate your brain. Moreover, new wearable and smart devices can help train your brain and to improve your mental acuity. Some of them are non-invasive and have no side effects. This is only the beginning of a new era of personal neuro-modulation technology for home use. Stay tuned for more.

The post What is Mental Acuity? first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post What is Mental Acuity? appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Last month we published an interview with Margaret Naeser, PhD, located at the VA Boston Healthcare System, and Research Professor of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine. She shared many very interesting facts from her research work in transcranial photobiomodulation.

This month we continue our interview with Prof. Naeser. We asked her to elaborate on other directions in her research which is very significant in scope. This time we asked Prof. Naeser only one question. Her answer was much more than what we could hope for, and you can read it below.

Why have you chosen your areas of research and what would be the potential benefits of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) in those areas?

My first area of tPBM research was with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and it was chosen for me. In 2007, Michael R. Hamblin, PhD, from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School contacted me, at the Boston VA Medical Center, to see if the Department of Veterans Affairs would be interested to use tPBM to help treat soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, who may have cognitive problems following TBI and IED blast exposure.

Dr. Hamblin was aware that a paper was about to be published in the medical journal, Stroke. This paper was showing that tPBM, using a near infrared light (NIR) wavelength of light, could penetrate through skin, skull and the meninges to reach brain cortex, to help reduce symptom severity in acute stroke patients. (Lampl et al., 2007.) Consequently, I agreed to follow up on this. Since then, we have published three TBI papers. Our papers show improved cognition in chronic TBI, following a series of tPBM treatments. (Naeser et al., 2011; 2014; and 2016 review.) We were able to conduct an open-protocol study using transcranial, light-emitting diodes (tLED) with 11 chronic, TBI cases. This study was done through Dr. Ross Zafonte, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.

Applying Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy to Chronic Stroke Patients with Aphasia.

Because we observed significant improvements following a series of tLED treatments in the chronic TBI cases, we decided to try a tLED protocol with chronic stroke patients who had language problems (aphasia), due to a stroke located in the left hemisphere of the brain.

To summarize, I have over 35 years of brain imaging research with chronic stroke patients, who have aphasia. This, for example, included studying exactly where, within the left hemisphere of the brain, the damage was located. Thus, I used CT scans and MRI scans for this research to pinpoint the lesion sites. Based on those lesion site locations, we studied stroke recovery. We worked on predicting potential for recovery of speech and language comprehension at 1 year after the stroke. Also, from 1999 – 2013, my lab had explored the use of repetitive, transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (rTMS) to improve language in chronic stroke patients with aphasia. Our rTMS research with Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Harvard Medical School, showed that language could be improved with this method.

Thus, I had experience in working with brain plasticity. I wanted to explore other non-invasive brain stimulation methods for patients with brain damage.  I was especially interested to explore the use of tLED, because it had the potential for self-administered, home treatments.

Establishing a tPBM Treatment Protocol for Chronic Stroke Patients with Aphasia.

It took several years to establish an optimal tLED treatment protocol for chronic stroke. It turned out that the tLED treatment protocol for TBI did not work well with the stroke patients.

The tLED protocol for TBI included placement of the LED cluster heads on both sides of the head/brain and all along the midline of the head, from front hairline to back hairline, including both the left and right supplementary motor areas, SMAs at the top of the head. This tLED protocol was helpful for the TBI cases, because they had damage in both sides of the head/brain. However, our best results for treating stroke patients with left hemisphere stroke, who had aphasia, was to only place the LED cluster heads on the same side of the head, as where the stroke had occurred (left side, in aphasia patients), plus only two LED placements on the midline of the head (mesial prefrontal cortex and precuneus which are cortical nodes of the Default Mode Network).

This latter protocol for the left-hemisphere stroke patients with aphasia was observed to significantly increase naming ability. As well, it improved functional connectivity in the Default Mode Network. (Ho, Martin, Yee et al., 2016; Naeser, Ho, Martin et al., PMLS, in press).

Expanding application of our optimal tPBM treatment protocol for language.

The same, optimal tLED treatment protocol we worked out for the left-hemisphere stroke patients with aphasia, is now the tLED placement protocol we think could be helpful in autism spectrum (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS). Impaired language is often a major problem in children with ASD and DS.

The tLED placements include two midline placements on the Default Mode Network (mesial prefrontal cortex and precuneus) and over the language areas of the left hemisphere (Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area and other left perisylvian language areas). We have a few anecdotal case reports suggesting this tLED protocol was helpful to improve language in children with DS. In these cases, the parents have been treating the children at home. The improvements included new production of complete sentences, vs. only single words prior to the tLED intervention. (Anita Saltmarche, BScN, MHSc, personal communication.) We need to do more research in this area.

For example, our tLED research with the retired, professional football players who are possibly developing CTE, originated from our tLED research protocol with the chronic TBI cases, plus the dementia study done in Toronto. (Saltmarche, Naeser et al., 2017.)

Optimism, more studies, more research, more data.

We continue to be optimistic about the rapidly advancing tLED technology. We are encouraged regarding potential application of red and near-infrared LEDs to help treat other central nervous system disorders. Our goal is to improve quality of life for as long as possible. It is especially important for those who have progressive neurodegenerative disease such as dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as the professional athletes who have suffered repetitive head impacts and are possibly developing CTE.  As I noted above, we need to do more research studies.

The post What Can A Chronic Stroke Patients Study Reveal? first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post What Can A Chronic Stroke Patients Study Reveal? appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

Q: What is photobiomodulation in general? 

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a safe, painless, noninvasive, nonthermal modality. It involves the use of primarily red, and/or near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths of light, approximately 600–1100 nm, to stimulate, heal, and repair damaged or dying cells and tissues. Multiple benefits are associated with application of red/NIR PBM to poorly functioning (compromised) cells that are low on oxygen (hypoxic). This includes increased production of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) by the mitochondria. Adequate levels of ATP are important for normal cellular energy and respiration.

There is also increased local blood flow after release of nitric oxide from cytochrome C oxidase in the hypoxic cells. Perhaps to put it more simply, PBM may promote a form of “self-healing” for damaged cells. No negative side effects or serious adverse events have been reported, since initial studies for wound healing began in the 1960’s by Endre Mester, MD in Budapest, Hungary.

Q: What is transcranial photobiomodulation specifically?

Transcranial PBM (tPBM) is the application of, primarily, near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths of light (for example, 810nm, 830nm, etc.) to the scalp, using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). The goal of tPBM is to deliver enough NIR photons to the scalp, so that NIR photons will reach the surface brain cortex areas below the scalp placement areas. Perhaps only 2 to 3% of the photons will reach the surface brain cortex (Wan, Parrish, Anderson, Madden, 1981). Studies show the depth of penetration of some NIR (808 nm) photons into the brain, reach up to 4-5 cm (Tedford et al., 2015). The NIR photons are hypothesized to improve cellular function in damaged brain cells. These damaged brain cells are likely low on oxygen and functioning poorly.

Traumatic brain injury and transcranial photobiomodulation

When a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs, there is damage to nerve cells in brain cortex. There is also damage to the deeper white matter (axons) that connect specific brain cortex areas to each other. These connections are important for normal thinking and memory. When brain cortex is damaged, along with damage to the deeper white matter brain connections, cognitive tasks, such as problem solving and multi-tasking (executive function), cannot be performed with efficiency.

The brain anatomy and physiology relevant to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead and deep to the front sides of the head, are often damaged in TBI. An area of each frontal lobe, located closer to the middle of the brain, is the mesial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) area. This area of the brain has a high demand for glucose and energy in order to function properly (Raichle, 2015; Mormino et al., 2011).

Default Mode Network (DMN) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The mPFC is part of an important neural network, the Default Mode Network (DMN). The DMN has two cortical “node” areas (collection of nerve cells) located near the midline (middle) of the brain. One is the mPFC (in the frontal lobes) and the second is the precuneus (in the parietal lobes, behind the frontal lobes). These cortical nodes are “active” when a person is daydreaming or sleeping. However, in order for executive function to take place, these two nodes (mPFC and precuneus) must down-regulate (de-activate) simultaneously. This must occur, in order to permit up-regulation (activation) of other parts of the frontal lobes, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) on the sides of the frontal lobes, in order to perform executive functions.

However, after TBI, the “nodes” of the DMN are often dysfunctional and cannot “turn off” or down-regulate, simultaneously. Thus, they prevent up-regulation of the dlPFC parts of the frontal lobes which are necessary for executive function and normal brain function. Poor cellular function in the mPFC following TBI can have devastating effects on cognition, including poor executive function. One goal in using tPBM to treat chronic TBI cases is to deliver NIR photons to poorly functioning cells in the cortical “nodes” of the DMN – especially the mPFC and precuneus. The mPFC location, at the center front hairline area on the forehead, makes it an especially vulnerable place for head impact and brain damage.

Additional brain dysfunction related to TBI

In TBI there is often twisting and shearing of the white matter axons, due to the angular force of the head trauma. This type of brain damage is also present after exposure to the blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) that exploded within 100 yards of someone. Ultimately (based on animal studies), this blast wave produces poor mitochondrial function in the nerve cells. Furthermore, there is low production of ATP, as well as lower cerebral blood flow to that part of the brain.

Can a brain with TBI benefit from transcranial photobiomodulation?

After tPBM application of NIR photons to the damaged brain areas, the ATP levels are expected to increase, as well as local blood flow to the area due to release of nitric oxide. Several research labs have shown increased, local cerebral blood flow after tPBM (Schiffer et al., 2009; Nawashiro et al., 2012; Naeser, Ho, Martin et al., 2012; Ho, Martin, Yee et al., 2016; Hipskind et al., 2019; Chao, 2019).

Thus, following tPBM treatments, there is increased cerebral blood flow near the areas treated. Furthermore, the damaged cells begin to function more normally, with increased production of ATP. Our research has observed that in chronic TBI cases after a series of 18 red/NIR tPBM treatments (3 times per week, six weeks), post-testing scores showed significant improvements in executive function and verbal memory, as well as reduced symptoms of PTSD (Naeser, Zafonte et al., 2014; Naeser, Martin, Ho et al., 2016; Naeser, Saltmarche et al., 2011). These improvements were present at 1 week after the final, 18^th, tPBM treatment. Also, there was additional improvement 1 month and 2 months later, without any intervening tPBM treatments, in these chronic TBI cases.

How the use of transcranial photobiomodulation is different for TBI and stroke?

In TBI, there is damage to both sides of the brain, due to the twisting and shearing of the axons during the TBI event. In stroke patients, however, there is usually brain damage to only one side of the brain, where the stroke occurred. Thus, in TBI cases we apply the tPBM to both sides of the head. However, in stroke cases, we apply tPBM to only the side of the head where the stroke occurred – i.e., where the compromised/hypoxic cells are located. (Naeser, Ho, Martin, et al., 2012; Ho, Martin, Yee et al., 2016; Naeser, Ho, Martin et al., PMLS in press.)

Q: Based on your research work, what do you view as the most promising areas for photobiomodulation applications?

Our early studies with tPBM have observed significant improvements in brain disorders including TBI, PTSD, dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease, possible, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in athletes who have suffered repetitive head impacts, and stroke. Results for tPBM with TBI/PTSD were reviewed above (Naeser et al., 2011; 2014; 2016). In our study with five mild to moderately severe dementia patients treated in Toronto, after 12 weeks of tPBM treatments, there were significant improvements on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), p<0.003) and on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale for Cognition (ADAS-cog) (p<0.023) as tested once, within a week after the final tPBM treatment. All transcranial photobiomodulation treatments were stopped at the end of the 12-week treatment series (weeks 13 to 16).

After that 4-week, no-treatment period, there was decline from the previous gains. This suggests that continued tPBM treatments, including transcranial LED (tLED) at-home treatments, would be appropriate to consider, when treating patients with a progressive, neurodegenerative disease.

Case studies: Using tPBM to treat retired athletes, possibly developing CTE

We have recently had the opportunity to work with a few retired, professional football players, ages 57 and 65, who may be developing symptoms of the progressive neurodegenerative disease, CTE. Both responded well to a 6-week, In-Office tLED treatment series. Improvements were in executive function and verbal memory. In addition, there were reduced emotional outbursts (symptoms of PTSD), less depression and better sleep. These improvements were present for both retired football players, at one week and at one month after completing the 18th, In-Office tPBM treatment. The red/NIR tLED treatments were administered to the left and right sides of the head, as well as to the midline cortical “node” areas of the DMN, including mPFC and precuneus (Naeser, Martin, Ho et al., International Brain Injury Association, IBIA, Meeting, Toronto, March 2019).

At-home transcranial photobiomodulation treatment for TBI with possible CTE.
Applying NIR LED light to the brain’s Default Mode Network.

Additional, follow-up data are available for the first football player. At two months after the final In-Office tLED treatment, his initial gains wore off. His emotional outbursts, depression, poor sleep and worsening executive function and verbal memory returned. He then obtained his own transcranial LED device, where the diodes were pulsed at 40 Hz (Neuro Gamma). This football player treated himself at home three times per week, for three months. He also used a red-light, 633nm, intranasal LED device.

What is the Neuro Gamma tPBM device?

The Neuro Gamma device is designed to deliver NIR photons primarily, only to the cortical “node” areas of the Default Mode Network. These include the mPFC, precuneus, left and right intraparietal sulcus areas/angular gyrus areas. There is also a single NIR diode used in the nose (intranasal PBM). Presumably, this intranasal PBM delivers photons to the olfactory bulbs located on the orbito-frontal cortex (behind the eyebrows). There are neural connections from the olfactory bulbs to the hippocampus areas, important for memory.

This retired, professional football player returned to our office after three months of using the transcranial NIR home treatments. In these treatments he applied NIR to the cortical “nodes” of the Default Mode Network. Additionally, he used a red-light intranasal LED. His initial gains then returned, or were even better. He has continued the LED treatments at home. He uses only the At-Home, tLED treatment program – the NIR Neuro Gamma device. This device is pulsed at 40 Hz, applied to the cortical “nodes” of the DMN, including the NIR intranasal nose-clip, which is part of the Neuro Gamma; plus a red-light, 633nm, intranasal nose-clip device. The At-home LED treatments have now been on-going for 14 months. He reports that he continues to do well.

What do MRI scans show before and after the tPBM treatments? 

In addition, this retired, professional football player participated in some MRI brain imaging studies before and after the In-Office, and At-Home, tPBM series. A specific type of brain MRI scan, resting-state functional-connectivity MRI, was obtained. This football player showed increased “functional connectivity” between cortical regions of interest in the left and right hemispheres of the brain, as well as within only the left hemisphere, and within only the right hemisphere. This occurred at one week and at one month after the initial In-Office tLED treatment series was finished. However, the improved functional connectivity in cortical brain regions fell off, after three months of no tLED treatments. Furthermore, there was again increased functional connectivity (especially within the left hemisphere) after three months of the At-Home tPBM treatments (Martin, Ho, Bogdanova et al., 2018).

Thus, when working with someone who is potentially developing a progressive neurodegenerative disease, it appears that additional, long-term tLED treatments may be important, in order to maintain any gains made.

What do findings from the current studies and early research using tPBM suggest?

The tLED treatment devices used with the five dementia cases (Saltmarche, Naeser et al., 2017); and with the first, retired professional football player during his At-Home tLED treatments, both applied NIR, 810nm photons to only the cortical node areas of the Default Mode Network – an intrinsic neural network in the brain. The DMN is dysfunctional in dementia/Alzheimer’s disease (Greicius, Srivasta, Reiss et al., 2004).

Alzheimer’s Disease is associated with amyloid-beta and tau abnormal protein deposits located in “nodes” of the DMN. CTE, however, is associated with unique tau abnormal protein deposits located in deep sulci (grooves) of brain cortex, especially near blood vessels (McKee et al., 2009). There are four stages to this progressive neurodegenerative disease, and eventually, the entire brain cortex has tau deposits.

Our early research suggests that treating only the cortical “node” areas of the Default Mode Network (critical for executive function and verbal memory) may be indicated for specific progressive, neurodegenerative disorders. Future tPBM research which includes fMRI brain scans will be important.

Additional areas for application for transcranial photobiomodulation

In addition to the brain disorders for which we have some early tPBM data, there are other disorders where potential for improvements with tPBM exist. Two of them are with children – autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS). In each of these disorders there is dysfunction in the Default Mode Network (DMN), and in the language network, in the left hemisphere. Children with ASD and DS have problems with language development. Treatment of midline, cortical nodes of the DMN (mPFC and precuneus), as well as treatment of the left hemisphere language areas (Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area and other left perisylvian language areas) might be helpful in these disorders.

Those with Down Syndrome also suffer from amyloid-beta, abnormal protein deposits that build up in the brain by age 60. At that time these individuals have developed dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease. Delay or reduced severity of this late-stage dementia might be possible by using tPBM pulsed at 40 Hz. In mice genetically altered to develop Alzheimer’s Disease (Iaccarino et al., 2016), the 40 Hz pulse rate reduced the amounts of amyloid-beta and tau. This occurred only in visual cortex, because the pulsed light was shown only to the eyes. The pulse rate of 40 Hz increased the phagocytosis effect of microglia in the brain.

The midline cortical node areas of the DMN, in combination with tLED placements over the language areas in the left hemisphere, might be a reasonable approach. The treatment may be more effective if started at a young age. These are reasonable areas for future tPBM research.

Other disorders where tPBM could be helpful include Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Research in these areas is underway. John Mitrofanis, PhD, University of Sydney, Australia, is working with PD; and Jeri-Anne Lyons, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, is studying MS.

Millions suffering from TBI and Alzheimer’s Disease need help

In just the US, there are currently 5 million cases with TBI sequelae and 5.8 million cases with Alzheimer’s Disease. If tPBM clinical trials are successful, then tPBM intervention for these disorders could have a large, beneficial impact. It could potentially help to reduce symptom severity in possibly millions of people.

Full Disclosure, Conflict of Interest Statement:
The research lab of Margaret Naeser, PhD, located at the VA Boston Healthcare System receives research funding from the Vielight Inc. There is no personal conflict of interest for her or her staff. 

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Neuroimaging modalities like fMRI have begun to uncover the brain areas that are dysfunctional in disorders like depression. Non-invasive neuromodulation technologies like transcranial photobiomodulation allow us to target those brain areas for new treatments. tPBM is such an easy and cost-effective form of neuromodulation that the technology could be scaled rather quickly.

In late March 2019, we reached out to Prof. Jay Sanguinetti Ph.D. Prof. Sanguinetti’s research focuses on neurocognitive applications for clinical non-invasive treatment and neuroenhancement. Despite his full schedule, he agreed to answer a few questions and elaborate more on his groundbreaking work.

In his answers, Prof. Sanguinetti highlights the opportunities that photobiomodulation (PBM) and, specifically, transcranial photobimodulation (tPBM) present to modern neuroscientists. You will sense considerable potential, hope and pride for his field of research and his work in Sanguinetti’s words. Perhaps, these feelings come through because this researcher’s journey can lead to significant discoveries and advancement of non-invasive treatment modalities. Furthermore, applications for such potential discoveries can be numerous, as you will find out from the interview below.

Non-Invasive Transcranial Photobiomodulation

Q: It looks like your primary interest lies with research in neurocognitive applications. What attracts you to this field, and why do you think it is worth pursuing?

A: My interests are in two broad categories, clinical treatment, and neuroenhancement. Neuroimaging modalities like fMRI have begun to uncover the brain areas that are dysfunctional in disorders like depression. Non-invasive neuromodulation technologies like transcranial photobiomodulation allow us to target those brain areas for new treatments. This is exciting because it gives us a level of specificity that phrenological interventions cannot. I’m also interested in using non-invasive neuromodulation for neuroenhancement. For example, imagine that you could use a simple and safe device that allowed you to learn the piano or how to meditate twice as fast without any side effects. I think that would be worth-while to create something like that!

Importance of Research in Non-invasive Treatment Modalities

Meditators are wearing the Vielight Neuro devices

Q: In one of the descriptions of your interests, you prominently note the factor of non-invasive applications. Why non-invasiveness is so relevant and critical to your research? Why is it so important?

A: Non-invasive neuromodulation means affecting brain activity with a wearable device. That’s in contrast to invasive Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) where a neurosurgeon inserts an electrode directly into the brain. DBS works beautifully for disorders like Parkinson ’s disease and there is some evidence it works for depression and OCD.  Although DBS is highly efficacious, it has a major drawback: It requires brain surgery! So, the major advantage of non-invasive technologies is that they may allow us to gain the power of DBS to treat neurological and psychiatric disease, but without going through the trouble of brain surgery.

Q: You study various forms of non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation. How prominent is transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) with near infrared light (NIR) is in your work? What could you tell us about your research in the field of tPBM? What are the relevant applications for tPBM that you research supports?

A: I am new to the transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) field. I became interested in how various forms of energy – mechanical energy, electromagnetism, light – influence neural activity, and I came across the fascinating field of tPBM. We have now completed a series of experiments using PBM to enhance learning in a healthy population of undergraduate students. Our goal is to use tPBM for neuroenhancement during learning tasks. We predict that tPBM could be used during the acquisition of new skills, to learn new information, or to perform better on tasks that require focused attention.

We chose the Neuro Gamma device because it flickers the light at 40 Hz. Brain oscillations between 25 and 100 Hz are known as gamma oscillations and are related to higher-level cognitive functions like attention. They are proposed to be the neural correlate of consciousness. Currently, it is not known whether the flicker rate of tPBM can directly influence neural oscillations, but there are some promising pilot results that suggest that they might.  Therefore, we selected the Neuro Gamma in an attempt to enhance cognitive performance on a learning task.  If the experiment is successful, then the enhancement could be due to enhancement of cellular function (the basic mechanism of tPBM), due to the influence of neural oscillations, or both.

Q: These days you are conducting a very interesting study involving the military. In this study, you are employing Vielight devices to test their effect on your subjects. What can you tell us today, considering that the study is still ongoing?

A: The overall goal was to enhance learning on a threat-detection task. Participants received tPBM during the learning phase of the task with the hope of enhancing their ability to focus on the task or to learn from the stimulus cues.  Our participants are undergraduate subject at the University of New Mexico, but the project funding comes from the Department of Defense. This is a basic experiment to ask whether tPBM can enhance cognitive performance.  Our results are encouraging so far, but we have not submitted our research for publication so I am unable to divulge too much at this point

We are using a task that Dr. Vince Clark has previously used with another form of non-invasive neuromodulation, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Dr. Clark has previously shown that just 20 minutes of tDCS doubles the learning rate on the threat-detection task. This result has been replicated in his lab and others. Thus, we have a nice baseline and experimental paradigm to compare our tPBM results with.  One nice thing about using this paradigm is that we know how big the effect size is with tDCS. This fact will allow us to directly compare the size of our effect with tPBM.

Researching Effects of Transcranial Photobiomodulation on Meditation

Q: I understand that you are also looking into researching the effect of transcranial PBM on meditation. Can you describe your experience? What are you looking for? What do you think is the future of tPBM in meditation, and improvement on a person’s well-being in general? The latter is the subject to validation studies, of course.

A: Yes, this is a new area and we are actively planning several experiments.  So far, we have used tPBM in pilot experiments, so I am unable to say much.  Given that caveat, we have had several advanced meditators report positive effects with tPBM. The meditators claim that the device helps them to enter a focused, calm, or detached meditation state that is consistent with their practice. Based on these self-reports, we are designing experiments to validate these claims empirically.  If tPBM can help meditators benefit quicker from their practice, there will be many practical applications.

Meditation has many positive benefits, and scientific research supports them, including interventions for neurological and psychiatric disease.  However, it often takes immense effort and practice to reap the benefits of meditation. Thus, tPBM may help meditators experience the benefits of meditation quicker. This factor would lead to positive effects for the regular meditator as well as for the clinical populations.

One interesting thing is that several papers have shown that meditators enhance their gamma brain oscillations (that I discussed above) while they are meditating. In fact, the more someone meditates, the bigger the gamma effect becomes. This may be due to the way meditation enhances the control of attention, or how it generally alters consciousness. Both of which are related to gamma oscillations.

The Neuro Gamma should enhance mindful awareness

Since gamma oscillations are related to meditation and mindfulness, we predict that the Neuro Gamma should enhance mindful awareness. However, gamma oscillations occur in the range of about 25 Hz to 100 Hz or more. Thus, we asked Vielight for a tPBM device that would give us control over the flicker rate. We acquired such a device from Vielight and are currently testing frequencies from 1 Hz to 120 Hz on meditators.  So far, as you may expect, meditators like frequencies above 40 Hz, especially the higher frequencies. This is an exciting area of research, and we hope to validate the self-report claims soon.

Q: What are you next near-term and medium-term plans and hopes for your research in general and PBM research specifically?

A: If the research supports the use of tPBM for clinical applications and neuroenhancement, then I plan to make this a large part of my research agenda. tPBM is such an easy and cost-effective form of neuromodulation that the technology could be scaled rather quickly.  For example, imagine that tPBM could help meditators learn meditation skills quicker. We could use this could as a clinical intervention. We could create a package and give it out to clinics rather easily, which could help reduce suffering on a large scale. However, first things first, – we must do the science to know how effective tPBM combined with meditation is.

The post Jay Sanguinetti’s Research in tPBM, Non-invasive Treatment Modalities and Meditation first appeared on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.

The post Jay Sanguinetti’s Research in tPBM, Non-invasive Treatment Modalities and Meditation appeared first on Vielight Inc - Deutsch.