Laser Therapy for Dementia

Low Level Laser Therapy, also known clinically as Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is a safe and potentially effective therapy for the treatment of symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disease. A number of key Infrared and Near Infrared wavelengths are applied at low power to penetrate the skull and directly aid damaged neurological tissue. A growing body of clinical studies, along with the positive results we see in our clinic, show that cognitive function, stress, memory and sleep in dementia patients can improve with Laser Therapy for Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

How does Low Level Laser Therapy for Dementia work?

The brain may suffer from three types of disorder, all of which can be beneficially affected by applying specific light wavelengths in the Infrared and Near Infrared range:

Stroke, traumatic brain injury and global ischemia.
Degenerative disease such as Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and
Psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Laser Therapy for Dementia increases levels of nitric oxide, and therefore, blood flow to the brain, which improves the flexibility of the membrane that lines the inside of blood vessels. If the brain is deprived of oxygen it suffers from synaptic dysfunction and degeneration / loss of neutrons, leading to grey and white matter atrophy, cognitive dysfunction and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Laser Therapy helps to reduce inflammation and restore cerebral blood flow. Laser Therapy for Dementia opens up blood vessels so that more oxygen can reach the white matter deep inside the brain and reduce the amount of amyloid plaque, which is often associated with dementia. This can lead to a significant improvement in motor function, memory performance, delayed memory and brain processing speed.

Our approach to Therapeutic Laser for Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Laser Therapy for Dementia light therapy has the potential to help people with dementia because of increased blood flow to the brain, and reduced inflammation in the cerebral tissue . Therapeutic Laser also triggers a rise in the levels of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is markedly decreased in Alzheimer’s patients. The increase in ATP “provides energy to drive processes in living cells and helps nerve cells repair (Durham University).

We use a combination of Class 4 and Class 3b Therapeutic Laser, which gently penetrates the skull. The light therapy is slightly warm (never hot), and the patient feels a pleasant sensation which they report to feel very relaxing. We apply the light at regular intervals to help to heal the brain gradually for long lasting effects.

To support our Laser Therapy for Dementia protocols we have dietary recommendations, particularly the daily consumption of green salad. Enzymes in certain salad ingredients is known to be effective in managing symptoms associated with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Who can receive Low Level Laser Therapy for Dementia and Alzheimer’s

We work with patients in different stages of dementia – from early cognitive impairment to those who are in 24 hour care. Many patients experience an improvement in speech, cognitive processes including memory and a sense of well-being.

Laser Therapy for Dementia recommended treatment plan

We apply Low Level Laser through the lymphatic system and directly to the scalp over a course of treatments in the clinic. The procedure is non-invasive, painless and aims to leave the patient feeling relaxed, with an improved sense of wellbeing.

Treatments are best carried out weekly for the first 6 weeks, and then every 2-3 weeks depending on the health of the individual person.