In December 2016 the Fred Binns Parkinson’s Foundation invited Professor John Mitrofanis (Anatomy, University of Sydney) to present his work researching the use of near infra-red light in a mouse model of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). About 30 people attended. Attendees had a variety of brain conditions including several with PD.
Professor Mitrofanis’s talk was entitled “Turning on the lights to stop neurodegeneration: exploring the potential of a new treatment for PD”
Background: in PD there is loss loss of cells in the substantia nigra (black substance) at the base of the brain. These are the cells which produce dopamine, a key chemical which is deficient in PD. Dopamine serves as a chemical messenger supporting automatic movements such as walking, writing, speaking, swallowing and facial expression. A deficiency can lead to difficulty with these activities.
Cell loss in PD has been linked to poorly functioning mitochondria. The mitochondria are the engine rooms of the cell, producing energy for cell functions.
Scientific studies have revealed that near infra red light (NIR) can favourably influence the survival and function of brain cells through interactions with an enzyme in the mitochondrion leading to better blood supply and improved energy generation. NIR light also can interact with the cell nucleus to trigger nerve growth factors, increase the development of connections between nerve cells and increase new nerve cell production.
Professor Mitrofanis is a world leading researcher into use of NIR in mouse models of PD. Mice are made to express the signs of PD by injecting them with a chemical called MPTP or by a genetic engineering method. Professor Mitrofanis has demonstrated that administering NIR light, both at the time of MPTP injection or long after injection, can preserve dopamine producing cells and substantially reduce the symptoms of PD. Similar results were found in the genetic engineered PD mice who were protected by NIR light.
Professor Mitrofanis is collaborating with a French group which demonstrated the benefit of NIR light for a primate model of PD. In this experiment NIR light was administered by probes inserted deep into the monkeys’ brains.
A small preliminary human study employing NIR light administered to the head (transcranial NIR, tNIR) has been reported and suggests improvements in both walking and cognitive function. This study needs to be repeated in a more rigorous format before solid conclusions can be drawn.
