light therapy for cognitive decline
Sources:
has discussed the potential benefits of light therapy for cognitive decline in a few different contexts.
In one instance, he describes a study where subjects were exposed to a frequency of 40 hertz of light, which resulted in increased gamma oscillations in the brain. This pattern of light stimulation, called GENUS (gamma entrainment using sensory stimulation), was found to have several beneficial effects, including the reduction of amyloid plaques and phosphorylated tau, which are associated with Alzheimer's and normal age-related cognitive decline. The study also observed upregulation of biological pathways that enhance neuronal function and synapse maintenance 1.
Additionally, discusses the use of red light and near-infrared light therapy to reverse the aging process of neurons in the retina. This form of light therapy was able to reduce cholesterol deposits, known as drusen, and reactive oxygen species, potentially improving neuronal function and reversing age-related vision loss 2.
It's notable that the retina consists of central nervous system tissue that resides outside of the skull, making it an accessible target for non-invasive light therapies, which may also prompt curiosity about potential improvements in brain function beyond the retina.
For further details, you can refer to the full discussions in the episodes "Using Light (Sunlight, Blue Light & Red Light) to Optimize Health | Huberman Lab Podcast #68" from April 2022 1 2 and "Journal Club with Dr. Peter Attia | Effects of Light & Dark on Mental Health & Treatments for Cancer" from October 2022 3.
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