Hyelim Chun

Title : Efficacy of transcranial photobiomodulation in mild cognitive impairment and early alzheimer’s Disease: A randomized controlled study

Abstract:

Transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) is a novel, non-invasive, neuromodulation technique. It has a wide range of indications in neurodegenerative diseases including mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which serves as a potential preclinical stage of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Infrared light of wavelength 808 nm emitted from t-PBM device penetrates robustly into the cortex, stimulating neuronal activity via increasing mitochondrial ATP production and regional cerebral blood flow. Based on such molecular background, we investigate the efficacy and safety of t-PBM in cognitive improvement in MCI patients.

MCI patients who meet all the core clinical criteria for MCI due to AD based on the diagnostic guidelines provided by the National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) were recruited. Participants scoring MMSE 23~27 and CDR 0.5~1.0 with possible causes of cognitive decline other than AD ruled out were enrolled. Subjects underwent t-PBM treatment 6 times per week for 12 weeks total at home, with light directed at dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Subjects were evaluated at weeks 7 and 13 with Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA), Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE2), Korean version of Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD-K), and Geriatric Depression Scale. 

Mean changes in total scores of each exam obtained at weeks 7 and 13 were compared to the effect of sham with two-sample t-test. A total of 26 subjects (70.0±6.97 years; 73% female) were investigated. K-MoCA score improvement of experimental group was statistically significant (p<0.05) compared to sham at week 13. Subjects presented no serious adverse events. Findings suggest that t-PBM is effective and safe for home-use in MCI population. t-PBM could become a promising treatment candidate for MCI, serving as a protective as well as preventative measure against progression into AD. t-PBM’s therapeutic application in normal aging group warrants further evaluation.

Biography:

Dr. Hyelim Chun received Bachelor of Science from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Biomedical Research. She was part of the Karen Lyons lab at UCLA, studying the role of ALK5 in BMP signaling pathway in mammalian cartilage development. She then attended Inha University School of Medicine where she received her MD. She now works as a clinical researcher at St.Peter’s General Hospital, studying photobiomodulation technique with a special interest in its application in neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Hyelim Chun received Bachelor of Science from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Biomedical Research. She was part of the Karen Lyons lab at UCLA, studying the role of ALK5 in BMP signaling pathway in mammalian cartilage development. She then attended Inha University School of Medicine where she received her MD. She now works as a clinical researcher at St.Peter’s General Hospital, studying photobiomodulation technique with a special interest in its application in neurodegenerative diseases.