Parkinson’s, psychiatric disorders: when light heals

Light, a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease? To mark the 10th anniversary of its endowment fund, the Clinatec biomedical research center announces the launch, from 2025, of five innovative programs focusing on light to prevent and treat several “dreadful pathologies”.

Illuminate the intestine to prevent Parkinson’s

First challenge: slow down or prevent Parkinson’s disease thanks to illumination of the intestine and its effects on the microbiota. “This program could have a major societal impact: 8.5 million people were affected by this disease worldwide in 2019, including 200,000 in France – figures which have doubled in just 25 years,” specifies this Fund which, since 2014, has set itself the mission of opening new therapeutic avenues using innovative medical devices in order to treat pathologies, particularly of the brain, and serious disabilities.

Treat cardiovascular disease

Another ambition: to treat cardiovascular diseases, which represent the leading cause of death globally and among women in France. This philanthropic structure focuses in particular on transcardiac photobiomodulation to help patients recover after a myocardial infarction and prevent progression towards heart failure.

Photobiomodulation, or low energy light therapy, is a medical technique using red and near infrared light via a low intensity laser or LED lamps. It is non-thermal, non-ablative and delivers low doses to stimulate energy production by cells.

New therapeutic avenues for psychological disorders

The third program aims to treat psychiatric disorders. “The capabilities of photobiomodulation to fight against mitochondrial metabolic dysfunctions, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties, could open new therapeutic avenues, particularly for bipolar disorders,” explains the Fund.

Fight against brain aging

He also wants to fight against cerebral aging, which particularly affects the brain, increasing the risks of serious illnesses such as stroke or neurodegenerative pathologies. To do this, in a few weeks it will launch a program based on transcranial photobiomodulation using red and near-infrared light. “It will evaluate its effects on the brain of the elderly, both physiologically and cognitively, paving the way for accessible and non-invasive treatments to improve the quality of life of seniors. »

Define the ideal light dosage

Finally, the Clinatec Fund is leading a cross-disciplinary project aimed at precisely determining the “ideal dose” of illumination for a patient to maximize the effectiveness of the therapy. An in vitro study will further this research to establish precise dosages and minimize side effects. “The results will guide future clinical trials and allow the medical profession to better master this promising therapeutic approach,” he assures.

Red light to detect 1^ers signs of Alzheimer’s…

Other research projects, already well completed, will lead to clinical trials in 2025. Led by Professor Mitrofanis, scientific director, the Clinatec Fund is particularly exploring the potential of photobiomodulation to stimulate the resilience of brain cells in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, through the Covea Neurotec project. His goal? “Detect the first signs of these pathologies via analysis of the light emitted by brain cells then treat them using near-infrared illumination of the cells of the cerebral cortex using a non-invasive transcranial photobiomodulation device. »

…and treat head trauma and sleep disorders

This type of device is also used for the neurological rehabilitation of head trauma, whether severe, moderate or mild. This work will give rise to several clinical trials in the coming months.

The Fund also uses transcranial photobiomodulation to treat sleep disorders, which affect one in three French people, as part of the Somnibrain project.

A clinical trial to slow the progression of Parkinson’s

Furthermore, intracranial photobiomodulation is used, as part of the NIR Parkinson project, to treat this progressive neurodegenerative disease using a medical device implanted in the brain to slow its progression, “where current deep brain stimulation treatments only target symptoms”, indicates the Fund. A clinical trial, carried out in partnership with the CHU Grenoble Alpes, is underway and involves 12 patients.

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