Exposure to low output power laser with transcatheter intracerebral photobiomodulation therapy reduces mental and cognitive disorders and dementia in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundTranscatheter Intracerebral Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) using low output power laser is a promising area in AD treatment. The method is aimed at stimulating angiogenesis, restoring cerebral microcirculation, stimulating metabolic processes and ATP metabolism in neuronal mitochondria, stimulating neurogenesis and regenerating cerebral tissues.MethodThe treatment was performed for 93 patients suffering from various AD stages with dementia, cognitive and mental disorders aged 34‐80 (average age 67.5), men ‐ 32 (34.40%), women ‐ 61 (65.59%). The examination included: CDR determination, MMSE testing, CT, MRI with calculation of temporal lobe atrophy degree and determination of dementia stage using the Tomography Dementia Rating scale (TDR), cerebral scintigraphy (SG), rheoencephalography (REG), cerebral MUGA. Test Group: 48 (51.61%) patients underwent transcatheter intracerebral Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) using a helium‐neon laser. According to atrophy and dementia degree, cognitive and mental disorders severity, the patients were divided: preclinical AD stage (TDR‐0) ‐ 4 (8.33%); early AD stage (TDR‐1) ‐ 16 (33.33%); medium AD stage (TDR‐2) ‐ 21 (43.76%); severe AD stage (TDR‐3) ‐ 7 (14.58%) patients. Control Group: 45 (48.39%) patients underwent conservative treatment (Memantine 5‐20mg or Rivastigmine 3‐12 mg daily). According to atrophy degree, the severity of dementia, cognitive and mental disorders, the patients were divided: preclinical AD stage (TDR‐0) ‐ 6 (13.33%); early AD stage (TDR‐1) ‐ 13 (28.89%); medium AD stage (TDR‐2) ‐ 15 (33.34%); severe AD stage (TDR‐3) ‐ 11 (24.44%) patients.ResultAn early follow‐up period of 6‐12 months. Test Group: all 48 (100%) patients showed improvement in cerebral microcirculation and signs of cerebral temporal lobes volume increase, which indicates neurogenesis and cerebral regenerative changes. The process was accompanied by clinical condition improvement, dementia decline, cognitive and mental functions restoration. Control Group: during the treatment, there was no stable improvement in the patients’ condition but a tendency to further increase in cerebral involutive changes, which was accompanied by dementia growth, cognitive and mental impairment.ConclusionTranscatheter intracerebral PBMT is a promising, effective AD treatment. It diminishes dementia, cognitive and mental disorders, and allows improving the quality of patients’ life and restoring their daily activity.