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Treatment hope for dementia patients

4:01am Friday 25th January 2008

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TWO North-East medics believe they have discovered a way to reverse the effects of dementia in a breakthrough that could offer new hope for thousands of sufferers.

The discovery could also save the NHS millions of pounds in caring for patients who can no longer look after themselves.

It could mean that one of the most feared medical conditions, affecting hundreds of thousands of Britons, could one day be treated by exposure to harmless infra-red light beams.

It is hoped this could provide doctors with a way of slowing down and rolling back the advance of dementia.

There are even suggestions that the same light therapy might be used to treat infections such as viral meningitis or encephalitis.

The inventor - County Durham GP Dr Gordon Dougal - was hugely encouraged when he used a prototype light device to reverse his father-in-law's dementia.

"He had early signs of dementia. It worked for him. He is slowly getting worse again, but he is still better than how he was and it has given him nine extra years," said Dr Dougal last night.

Small-scale tests have already been carried out.

When nine dementia patients at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, were given infra-red light therapy, doctors noted measurable improvements to their cognitive behaviour and social skills.

The announcement of the breakthrough follows the publication of research into the doctor's work by Sunderland University scientists, who confirmed that regular exposure to safe infra-red light can improve learning performance and brain function of mice.

As part of the study, groups of young and middle-aged mice were observed moving through a maze.

Regular exposure to a selected wavelength of infra-red light appeared to have a significant beneficial effects on the memory of the middle-aged mice, allowing them to equal the performance of younger mice in finding their way through the maze.

Dr Dougal, who works in Easington and has been looking at the potential benefits of light therapy for years, said: "The implications of this research are enormous."

He said ten minutes of exposure to the infra-red light daily would have the desired effect on the brain, adding: "Currently, all you can do with dementia is to slow down the rate of decay - this new process will not only stop that rate of decay but partially reverse it."

Dr Dougal, whose business partner is Darlington Memorial Hospital eye surgeon Jim Haslam, first realised that light therapy could have a healing effect on human tissue when he used a prototype device to clear up cold sores.

Now known as a Virulite, the hand-held battery operated gadget has been bought by more than 20,000 people around the world and is available on the NHS.

Clinical trials of the Virulite cold sore machine have shown better results than any other anti-viral medication.

Three years ago, researchers at Sunderland University confirmed that infra-red light with a wavelength of 10.72 nanometers had a measurable, positive effect on human immune cells, also known as lymphocytes.

A second light therapy device now commercially available and known as the Restorelite was also developed by the two medics to smooth wrinkles around the eyes.

A few weeks ago, The Northern Echo exclusively reported that another study, carried out by researchers from Sunderland University, showed that a significant majority of 79 volunteers who used the Restorelite device felt that it had smoothed wrinkles and had improved their appearance.

The North-East medics believe that early stage dementia patients should see an improvement in their brain function within four weeks, by wearing a lightweight helmet incorporating infra-red light-emitting diodes for ten minutes a day. Further human testing of the treatment is due to start in the summer.

Dr Dougal speculated that light therapy could one day be used to change the rate at which bodies age.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "A treatment that reverses the effects of dementia rather than just temporarily halting its symptoms could change the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people who live with this devastating condition.

"(It) is a potentially interesting technique.

"We look forward to further research to determine whether it could help improve cognition in humans. Only then can we begin to investigate whether near infrared could benefit people with dementia."

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Your Say YourThe Northern Echo

kenc, Chester-le-Street says...
8:03pm Fri 25 Jan 08

This is brilliant if it works. Many people have this horrible illness with little or no chance of stoping it. Lets hope they succeed.

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Milford, De Kalb, Mississippi USA says...
12:57am Sun 27 Jan 08

My Father is 84 years old. He has short term memory loss from brain degeneration. I want to enroll him in clinical trials using the helment. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Milford Smith
De Kalb, Mississippi USA

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Ivy Ricketts, Houston, Texas says...
6:02am Sun 27 Jan 08

My dad is 83 years old and has short term memory loss. He is currently taking namenda and aericept without any noticeable benefits.

We want to enroll our dad in clinical trials using the infra red helmet designed by Dr. Gordon Dougal. Please contact me at rickettslaw@aol.com or 713/962-6774.

Thank you.

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Lisa Turcotte, Syracuse, New York says...
12:25am Mon 28 Jan 08

My father is 69 and has Parkinson's disease related dementia. I would like for him to be able to enroll in a clinical study for the infra red helmet. Please contact me if this is possible. Thank you,
Lisa

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byron Reeser, Naples , Fl. says...
3:16pm Mon 28 Jan 08

My wife is 64 years old and suffering with dementia (called Pick's Disease). I would like to enroll her in these treatments.

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SM, New Delhi says...
7:43pm Mon 28 Jan 08

My mother is 71 years old and suffering with dementia. Her condition seems to be deteriorating at a fast rate. I would like to enroll her in these treatments.

Thanks

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george larocca, new york u.s.a says...
10:58pm Mon 28 Jan 08

my dad is 78 years okd he was respondin to aricet the stopped the medication in the hospital aftr an gall stone operation when the restarted him on it it no longer had and effect i wauld love to let you use my dad as a trial patient to see if you can help him since the nursing home he is in is making him more incompacated by not giving him any excersice my e mail is bigg321@aol.com if you might be interested in using him as a patient thank you george larocca

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Arlene, Jacksonville, Florida says...
11:34pm Mon 28 Jan 08

My Dad is going to be 80 in May. He was diagnosed 8 years ago with Alzheimers. We would like to get my Father this helmet. He is otherwise a very healthy man, except for the frustration of his alzheimers disease. Please contact me at the email address provided and let me know what I need to do to get this for my father. Thank You!

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Sonia Rudra, New Delhi says...
4:50am Tue 29 Jan 08

My mother has got Alzheimer disease & is in an advanced stage of the disease. Please let me know if I can enrol her in the programme. Please contact me on threebyfive3x5@yahoo

.com Many thanks, Sonia

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Sarah Smih, Worthing, Sussex, UK says...
9:58am Tue 29 Jan 08

My mother is 56 years old and has had Alzheimers for 6 years, please, please contact me if there is anything we can do to get her on this trial. she has 4 grandchildren aged 3 to 9 that she should be able to see grow up.
Many thanks
Sarah Smith

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Alyson Smith, Scotland says...
8:09pm Tue 29 Jan 08

My father has recently been diagnosed with Altzheimers, he is 72 years old and is otherwise a very healthy, active man. He bowls regularly and is a volunteer driver for cancer patients, We would like to ask if he could be considered to take part in tests.
Regards
Aly

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Gayla, Missouri says...
2:27am Wed 30 Jan 08

My sister is 57 suffering from Picks Disease.
Would like to inquire about trials.

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Carlo Tron, Pinerolo (TO) Italy says...
2:40pm Wed 30 Jan 08

My sister is 79 and has been diagnosed with Alzheimer disease about 7 years ago. She is now in an advanced state, but otherwise she is very healthy.
Is there anything I can do to enrol her on the research program, or to buy the helmet directly?
Thanks

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Lynn Musgrave, Darlington, UK says...
12:19pm Thu 31 Jan 08

My family would like any further info regarding the future research on the above helmet. My dad has Alzheimer's but is only 64 so any help would be welcomed.


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Cerise Roberts, Idaho says...
5:41am Sun 3 Feb 08

I would like to know how we can participate in a study using the helmet...can the helmet be purchased. Please contact me at Heart2heart1147@aol.
com

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Emily Burns, Bradford West Yorkshire UK says...
9:09pm Mon 4 Feb 08

My dad is 62 years he has serve dementia and we would like him to be included in any developements from this treatment or trials please.
Thank you.

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Judy Raborn, 1195 Plantation Dr., Collinsville,VA. USA says...
2:51pm Tue 5 Feb 08

Hi, My mother was 82 on January 18, 2008 and is in overall good health except for alzheimers disease.She gets around exceptionally well. She has been taking aricept and memantine for several years. I would like to inquire as to how to enroll her in a trial study using the helmet treatment.My husband and I are her primary caregivers and would be very interested in entering her into a trial study. We feel she would be an excellent candidate as she has a very upbeat personality,& handles her memory problems very well. She is very easy to work with and a joy to be around due to her sunny personality. Thank you for your kind consideration. Sincerely, Judy and Al Raborn, 1195 Plantation Drive, Collinsville, Virginia in the USA.

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Karl Harrar, Prescott, AZ says...
4:32pm Thu 7 Feb 08

I am an Electrical Engineer and design laser and thermal image products. I have found a source for the exact 1072 nm led modules used in this helmet. I would like to build a few to try to help, send me an e-mail if you are interested, karl kharrar@nightvisions
ystems.com

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Rachel Garnier, Stanford, California says...
3:33am Fri 8 Feb 08

Hi. My dad's sister was just diagnosed about a week ago with Pick's Disease. She is 62 years old and has been in good health her whole life. We are very interested in pursuing this treatment. We'd like to enroll her in the treatement or any trials that are currently being conducted. Please contact me with futher details if possible: rgd425@hotmail.com

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Stuart Mahon, Dublin, Ireland says...
9:01am Fri 8 Feb 08

Hi,
My Father was diagnosed 2 years ago with Frontotemporal dementia. With hindsight we assume he has been living with this horrible disease for 3/4 years now. I would like to get more information about this treatment, I can travel across to the UK if necessary.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
Stuart Mahon
stuart_mahon@ireland
.com

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Stuart Mahon, Dublin, Ireland says...
9:04am Fri 8 Feb 08

Amendment to the above comment.

My Father is 57 and in perfect physical health.

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Julie Currell, Canterbury Kent says...
10:29am Fri 8 Feb 08

quote
My 72 year old mother was diagnosed with alzheimers in 2001, but with hindsight had it for a few years before. My Grandfather (on my mothers side) His sister and his mother had it, my mothers brother has just been diagnosed. We are a family of 6 children and have been told by the medical profession that statistics show that 3 of us can expect to get the disease, we have all been offered genetic testing for the disease but have all declined due to there being no cure!! why would we want to know when there is nothing we can do to prevent its onslaught? I would be willing to be involved in any treatments that are ongoing. I think my siblings would be also. My whole family are living under this death sentence, it is torture wondering who will be the ones to get it. We would appreciate any help, advice, and especially the chance of a cure. We are in the age ranges of 53 to 42.

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Eduardo Nardi, Sao Paulo - Brazil says...
3:10pm Sun 10 Feb 08

My sister has been diagnosed with Alzheirmers and I am very interested in this form of treatment and would like my sister to participate in your trials. Please contact me at this email address for further information on the treatment.

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sandra green, stanley co.durham says...
9:56am Tue 12 Feb 08

my father is 75 and has been in an nhs mental health care home for nearly 2 years is it too late for him.how do you register for the clinical trials. thank you
quote

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Christopher Morrison, says...
5:57pm Wed 13 Feb 08

My father is 78 years old and suffers severe dementia due to Alzheimers. My mother died a few months ago and dad has no concept. No medicines out there can help him. My brothers and I are at a loss and can only sit in a nursing home and watch this once vibrant man waste away. Our hearts are broken. This Infra Red light treatment sounds like hope to me. Are there any clinical studies available to enroll my father into, as we are out of all other options.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Chris Morrison. Pennsylvania, USA

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clare sweeney, ireland says...
11:15pm Thu 21 Feb 08

When will this helmet be avaliable on the market?

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Jon Harris, South London says...
3:16pm Fri 22 Feb 08

Like everybody else, can my wife of 59 please take part in the trial and when will the helmet be available or shall I make my own??

Jon Harris 07967376204

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maria masselis-brookes, chester says...
4:14pm Sun 24 Feb 08

I first read about this techonology in a national newspaper.
My father is just 60 years of age and follolwing a CT scan has been diagnosed with vascular dementia (January 2008) and possibly some other form of dementia (we await a referall to Hope Hospital)
I would be very interested in reading any further material that you could recommend or send about this possible cure and would, like many of the others who comment, like to consider enrolling him for testing.
My email is mariamasselis@btinte
rnet.com.
I appreciate that not all individuals can be suitable for testing and after such high profile coverage there will be many people who are prepared to do the same but would be grateful if our circumstances could be considered.
My sympathies to all those who are in a similar position and are struggling to accept the cruel way that dementia manifests itself.
Many thanks
Maria Masselis-Brookes

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jean beaty, Anglesey, North Wales says...
4:31pm Tue 26 Feb 08

Karl Harrar wrote:
I am an Electrical Engineer and design laser and thermal image products. I have found a source for the exact 1072 nm led modules used in this helmet. I would like to build a few to try to help, send me an e-mail if you are interested, karl kharrar@nightvisions ystems.com
In response to the message from Karl Harrar, my husband has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers and he would dearly love to be considered for one of the helmets if at all possible. jean beaty

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Chris Meerveld, Edmonton, AB says...
12:31pm Tue 8 Apr 08

My freind Paul, who is only 59 has fronto-temporal dementia. He is slowly losing his ability to communicate. Due to his young age, he may make an ideal candidate for the infra-red treatment. Please advise how we can get further information on enrolling in the trails.


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Sanjay, London says...
9:25pm Tue 8 Apr 08

How can I organise getting my mother to participate in the trials? She was diagnosed with vascular dementia and is (like many of the other people in this discussion list) losing her mental capabilities and we are therefore mentally (rather than physically) losing her.

Thanks

Sanjay

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Linda Watson, says...
10:37pm Thu 1 May 08

My mother was diagnosed with vascular dementia after a fall in the street over 4 years ago where she was black and blue all down her left hand side. She is 75 and is in hospital after a mild heart attack and an infection. She is alot better now but although seems bright and watches your every move doesn't communicate which means you don't know if she is in pain etc which is very frustrating. We have been told she is not a candidate for memory inhibitors and would love the chance to help her without giving her 'drugs' She lives in Tyne & Wear. It is a very sad disease to have to stand by an watch. I really would like to know how much she understands etc but obviously she can't tell you.

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Martin Williams, Sedgefield says...
9:00pm Mon 12 May 08

My Mother is 67 and suffering from Alzhiemer's Disease, her short term memory loss is gradualy getting worse, she is about to start taking Aricept after a fairly unsuccessful courses of the other two drugs available on the NHS. We have heard about the success of this device and would really like to know how to get enrolled to trial the device or if it is possible to purchase it somehow.

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Patrick, New Jersey, USA says...
8:50pm Thu 19 Jun 08

My mother is 78 years old and has been diagnosed with dementia. She still has mobility and seems to recognize her siblings but gets the names confused. It's been tough on my dad as she screams and cries through the night. How can my mother participate in these trials? 732-713-4507

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Tim, Detroit, Michigan area says...
3:00am Tue 8 Jul 08

Hi, my dad is suffering from dementia (possibly from Lewy Body or Alzheimer's) and I would like to enroll him in a program if one is currently available. He is going through typical symptoms; hallucinating etc. Please contact me as soon as possible even if a program isn't available right now.

Thank you, Tim


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katydent, Bishop Auckland says...
10:52pm Wed 30 Jul 08

I would like to enrol my grnadfather on any trials possible. He is 75 years old and was diagnosed with alzheimer's 3-4 years ago. We live in Bishop Auckland in County Durham so are obviously very local and would be eternally grateful for any help you could offer.
Please contact me on katyd3@hotmail.co.uk or 07989324952.
Many thanks
Katy Dent

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Comments are closed on this article.

LIGHT THERAPY: Dr Gordon Dougal and colleague Jaclyne Rodda demonstrate the device, which, it is said, could help dementia sufferers LIGHT THERAPY: Dr Gordon Dougal and colleague Jaclyne Rodda demonstrate the device, which, it is said, could help dementia sufferers

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