Light therapy: a new option for neurodegenerative diseases

[Farooqji]

Given the increasing incidence of neurodegenerative disease (ND), recent research efforts have intensified the search for curative

treatments. Despite significant research, however, existing therapeutic options for ND can only slow down the progression of the

disease, but not provide a cure. Light therapy (LT) has been used to treat some mental and sleep disorders. This review illustrates

recent studies of the use of LT in patients with ND and highlights its potential for clinical applications. The literature was collected

from PubMed through June 2020. Selected studies were primarily English articles or articles that could be obtained with English

abstracts and Chinese main text. Articles were not limited by type. Additional potential publications were also identified from the

bibliographies of identified articles and the authors’ reference libraries. The identified literature suggests that LT is a safe and

convenient physical method of treatment. It may alleviate sleep disorders, depression, cognitive function, and other clinical

symptoms. However, some studies have reported limited or no effects. Therefore, LT represents an attractive therapeutic approach

for further investigation in ND. LT is an effective physical form of therapy and a new direction for research into treatments for ND.

However, it requires further animal experiments to elucidate mechanisms of action and large, double-blind, randomized, and

controlled trials to explore true efficacy in patients with NDgoogle.com/url?sa=t&source=...

[MBAnderson]

Very good.