Parkinson's
Parkinson’s disease is one of a group of movement disorders which share several features. Hence, the accurate diagnosis of which specific disease is present can be difficult. This groupd of diseases includes: Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (IPD), Lewy Body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal degeneration
(CBD), and vascular parkinsonism. IPD is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. These dopaminergic neurons provide dopamine to the movement control centers of the brain. When dopamine is in short supply, the symptoms worsen. Symptoms of IPD may include tremor, bradykinesia, gait and balance problems, rigidity, and autonomic dysfunction.
Clinical symptoms often do not occur until at least 60 percent of substantia nigra neurons are lost (Fearnley et al., ‘91). While IPD may be the most common form of parkinsonism, it shares, in part, symptoms with other diseases, such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, vascular parkinsonism, and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Groundbreaking treatment for Parkinson’s
Most current treatment options for IPD, such as dopamine replacement pharmaceuticals and surgical intervention are essentially palliative and do not address the underlying pathology of the disease. However, recent developments show that IPD may be caused by an infection that spreads from the gut to the brain and this supports an entirely new treatment option.
Near-Infrared Laser Therapy for IPD
Numerous research teams, including our own at NuBrain Health, have studied the application of Near-Infrared Light Therapy (NILT) to mitigate the neurodegenerative processes in patients with IPD.
NILT appear to be absorbed readily by the mitochondria of neurons, including those in the substantia nigra. In addition to increasing Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) production, Near-Infrared Light (NIR) can modulate reactive oxygen species, activate mitochondrial DNA replication, increase early-response genes, increase growth factor expression, induce synaptogenesis, and stimulate cell proliferation (Henderson and Morries 2015). In summary, NILT promotes symptom improvement and a reduction in disease activity.
At NuBrain Health, we marry data from our ongoing research with Multi-Watt Infrared Laser technology to successfully penetrate skin and the skull to reach the deep structures (such as the substantia nigra) and successfully treat patients with IPD. In our patients, symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, and gait instability improve significantly.
