Light therapy to improve brain blood flow in Alzheimer's
Using Photobiomodulation to Alleviate Brain Hypoperfusion in Alzheimer's Disease
This project tests whether a gentle near‑infrared light treatment can reduce a harmful brain protein and improve blood flow and memory related to Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308215 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers plan to use a safe near‑infrared light (808 nm, low intensity) to lower activity of a protein called PRMT4 that is linked to poor brain circulation in Alzheimer's. The work will use aged 3xTg‑AD mice that model Alzheimer's to see if the light restores tiny blood vessel flow, protects the blood‑brain barrier, and helps learning and memory. Investigators will measure brain perfusion with imaging, examine blood‑brain barrier health, and run behavioral memory tests in the mice. Results could point to a noninvasive approach worth testing in people with vascular contributions to dementia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials would be older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment who show evidence of reduced brain blood flow.
Not a fit: People whose dementia is not associated with brain hypoperfusion or who have conditions that make light therapy unsafe (for example certain implanted devices) may be unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a noninvasive light therapy that improves brain blood flow and may slow memory decline in people with Alzheimer's linked to poor cerebral perfusion.
How similar studies have performed: Related photobiomodulation approaches have shown mixed but encouraging results in animal models and small early human studies, while targeting PRMT4 in this way is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Hung Wen (Kevin) — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Lin, Hung Wen (Kevin)
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.