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A beam of hope for dementia sufferers
A medical breakthrough that could give hope to millions of dementia sufferers has been revealed by scientists from Sunderland University.
The announcement comes after the publication of research by the university into the work of Dr Gordon Dougal.
He has created a prototype helmet which would expose sufferers to harmless infrared light beams.
The beams could prove vital in helping reverse the effects of dementia, helping save the NHS millions of pounds in caring for patients.
Carers of those with Alzheimer's Disease today welcomed the latest findings.
Pioneering research by Sunderland University shows that regular exposure to low-level infrared light – delivered through wearing the helmet – can improve the brain's learning performance.
Dr Dougal, a GP in Peterlee, was encouraged when he used the prototype to help reverse his father-in-law's dementia.
Now, further trials are due to begin to establish its exact effectiveness.
Dr Gordon Dougal, a director at medical research company Virulite, said: "The implications of this research at the University of Sunderland are enormous – so much so that in the future, we could be able to affect and change the rate at which our bodies age."
Experts claim that early-stage dementia patients should see an improvement in their cognitive function – which includes perception, recognition and judgement – within four weeks by using the helmet for 10 minutes every day.
Dr Dougal, a GP at Peterlee Community Hospital, came up with idea of using infrared light on the brain after it proved successful in the treatment of cold sores.
He said: "As a GP you see a situation with Alzheimer's where you can do nothing for that person. You see them year-on--year getting worse, which is awful. So to have technology which could reverse that process is extremely satisfying.
"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."
He added: "Potentially, the product could have a massive impact on sufferers' lifestyles, helping them remember simple things like how to get home and even their relations. They could also look forward to more years of normal living."
The low levels of light, which occur naturally in sunlight, have been described as "completely safe" and are being used in innovative cold sore machines prescribed by the NHS.
Human testing of the ground-breaking treatment is due to start this summer.
Dr Dougal added: "We already have the technology, so providing the human trials are a success, we could have a product ready this time next year."
"As we get older, cells stop repairing themselves and we age because our cells lose the desire to regenerate and repair.
"This ultimately results in cell death and decline of the organ functions for the brain, resulting in memory decay and deterioration in general intellectual performance."
He explained that near infrared light had the ability to penetrate the human skull and potentially repair damaged cells.
The research by University of Sunderland neuroscientist, Dr Abdel Ennaceur, has led Dr Dougal to arrange clinical trials with patients with age-related memory problems.
Fellow neuroscientist Paul Chazot, who helped carry out the research, added: "Dr Dougal's treatment might have some potential in improving learning in a human situation by delivering infrared through the thinnest parts of the skull to get maximum access to the brain."
Further research work will continue in this area, funded by Cels, who support healthcare research and development in universities, hospitals and companies within the North East of England.
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
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