Project Overview

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are major health challenges affecting many people. Mild Cognitive Impairment(MCI) is an early sign of memory issues that can progress to Alzheimer’s. Individuals with MCI often face memory difficulties. This study explores how infrared light therapy, called transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), may help brain cells generate more energy and improve memory. By comparing blood markers and brain scans before and after treatment, we can understand how light therapy influences the brain.

This trial examines how light therapy affects the brain. We will compare the change in blood markers and brain scans between two groups: individuals with MCI receiving an active device that delivers 20 minutes of daily infrared light therapy, and those using a sham device that only works for 30 seconds. This will help us determine if light therapy improves brain health and function and whether these changes are linked to better memory.

We will recruit 60 participants with MCI from the St. Michael’s Hospital’s memory clinic. All participants will wear infrared light devices for 20 minutes daily for eight weeks. Half will use an active device that emits infrared light for the entire 20 minutes, while the other half will use a sham device that works for only 30 seconds. We will collect blood samples and brain scans before starting, after eight weeks to evaluate the change.

We expect participants receiving active infrared light therapy to show positive changes in their blood tests and brain scans. Blood tests may reveal better energy production in cells and lower levels of harmful markers linked to brain diseases and inflammation. Brain scans should show thicker areas of the brain, better brain connections, and higher levels of protective substances, indicating improved brain health and communication between different parts of the brain.

Every day, over 350 Canadians are diagnosed with dementia, and people with MCI have three times the risk of developing dementia compared to healthy older adults. Understanding how this light therapy works is crucial for developing new ways to assist those with memory problems and at-risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. If our study shows positive results, it could provide new solutions to improve memory and quality of life for many individuals experiencing cognitive decline.

Principal Investigator

Corinne Fischer , St. Michael’s Hospital

Team Members

Tom Schweizer, St. Michael’s Hospital

Simon Graham, Sunnybrook Research Institute

David Munoz, St. Michael’s Hospital

Nathan Churchill, University of Toronto

Raphael Schneider, University of Toronto

Neda Rashidi-Ranjbar, University of Toronto

Partners and Donors

Alzheimer Society of Canada