Effectiveness of Light for Enhancement of Cognition by Transcranial Repeated Application (ELECTRA)

NCT ID: NCT02817061

Last Updated: 2019-09-18

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-03-27

Study Completion Date

2019-09-01

Brief Summary

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Aim: Investigate whether transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) using near-infrared light exposure to the head, can improve frontal lobe executive function, working memory and overall mood in normal volunteer participants.

Hypothesis: The investigators predict that tPBM will increase cognitive functioning, as measured by Cambridge Cognition cognitive testing in study subjects.

Detailed Description

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Photobiomodulation (PBM), also called low-level light therapy (LLLT), uses optical power densities less than 100 mW/cm², and usually in the red (600-700 nm) or near infrared (NIR) 780-1000 nm wavelength range. Different light sources (coherent lasers or non-coherent LEDs) used for PBM have been shown to produce beneficial cellular effects and to be responsible for preservation and recovery of tissue function in controlled trials in a wide range of disorders typified by stress injury or degeneration. During PBM, absorption of red or near-infrared photons by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain causes an increase in cellular respiration that continues for much longer than the light is present when delivered at appropriate fluence and exposure durations.

Primary cellular effects include increases in mitochondrial activity and ATP levels, production of low levels of reactive oxygen species, induction of transcription factors (including the pro- survival NF-kB), and inhibition of apoptosis.

Over the past decade several studies have reported that a single, transcranial PBM treatment at 810 nm delivered to the head had significant, beneficial effect when used to treat acute ischemic stroke in several different animal models and also in human clinical trials. A similar approach was used to treat acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice and in humans. Pathological examination of the mouse brains demonstrated up- regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and stimulated neurogenesis in the hippocampus and increased synaptogenesis in the cortex.

A clinical trial is currently in progress at MGH to treat persons with acute moderate TBI. Several studies have shown improvement of cognitive function in persons with chronic TBI. Studies have also been conducted in animal models and in persons with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression and anxiety.

Only a very limited number of studies have so far been carried out to test NIR photobiomodulation in normal experimental rodents and in normal human volunteers.

In this study, an LED array light source will be used that has been cleared by the FDA for other human uses.

Conditions

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Disease Type and/or Category Not Applicable

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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NIR brain stimulation

An Omnilux device will be used to put NIR light on the head and forehead of the subject age 18-25 or 65-85. The device is a low risk device as determined by the IRB. Thirty (30) subjects will receive this light at 6 visits over 16 weeks.

An automated interactive software self-test will be used at baseline and at three subsequent visits to quantify subject cognitive functions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Omnilux

Intervention Type DEVICE

The Omnilux LED array sources can be changed to emit different wavelength.

Sham

An Omnilux Device will be used at a safe wavelength not associated with photobiomodulation, putting sham light on the head and forehead of the subject age 18-25 or 65-85. The device is a low risk device as determined by the IRB. Thirty (30) subjects will receive this light at 6 visits over 16 weeks.

An automated interactive software self-test will be used at baseline and at three subsequent visits to quantify subject cognitive functions.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Omnilux

Intervention Type DEVICE

The Omnilux LED array sources can be changed to emit different wavelength.

Interventions

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Omnilux

The Omnilux LED array sources can be changed to emit different wavelength.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age: 18-25 or 65-85
* Women of child-bearing potential, must use a double-barrier method for birth control (e.g. condoms with spermicide) if sexually active during the study and for 30 days post treatment of any kind.
* Subject Informed Consent obtained in writing in compliance with local regulations prior to enrollment into this study.
* The subject (and caregiver, if applicable) is willing to participate in this study for at least 12 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to speak or read English (necessary for cognitive testing software use).
* Pregnancy or lactation
* History of stroke or traumatic brain injury
* Substance dependence or abuse in the past 6 months
* Diagnosis with major psychiatric disease (Psychotic disorder or psychotic episode, bipolar affective disorder)
* Diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental condition (autism or ADHD)
* A traumatic event that resulted in PTSD
* Any unstable medical illness (defined as any medical illness which has not been well-controlled with standard-of-care medications)
* A significant skin condition (i.e., hemangioma, scleroderma, rash, open wound) or medical implant (e.g. metal plate, implantable shunt or valve) on the head.
* Inability to understand or participate in the consent and performance of the study.
* Those with Parkinson's Disease, End Stage Renal Disease, and/or End Stage Liver Disease
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

85 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Richard Rox Anderson, MD

Director, Wellman Center for Photomedicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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R. Rox Anderson, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

MGH

Locations

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Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Chung H, Dai T, Sharma SK, Huang YY, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 Feb;40(2):516-33. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0454-7. Epub 2011 Nov 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22045511 (View on PubMed)

Lapchak PA. Taking a light approach to treating acute ischemic stroke patients: transcranial near-infrared laser therapy translational science. Ann Med. 2010 Dec;42(8):576-86. doi: 10.3109/07853890.2010.532811. Epub 2010 Nov 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21039081 (View on PubMed)

Huang YY, Gupta A, Vecchio D, de Arce VJ, Huang SF, Xuan W, Hamblin MR. Transcranial low level laser (light) therapy for traumatic brain injury. J Biophotonics. 2012 Nov;5(11-12):827-37. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201200077. Epub 2012 Jul 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22807422 (View on PubMed)

Naeser MA, Hamblin MR. Traumatic Brain Injury: A Major Medical Problem That Could Be Treated Using Transcranial, Red/Near-Infrared LED Photobiomodulation. Photomed Laser Surg. 2015 Sep;33(9):443-6. doi: 10.1089/pho.2015.3986. Epub 2015 Aug 17. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26280257 (View on PubMed)

Xuan W, Vatansever F, Huang L, Hamblin MR. Transcranial low-level laser therapy enhances learning, memory, and neuroprogenitor cells after traumatic brain injury in mice. J Biomed Opt. 2014;19(10):108003. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.19.10.108003.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25292167 (View on PubMed)

Xuan W, Agrawal T, Huang L, Gupta GK, Hamblin MR. Low-level laser therapy for traumatic brain injury in mice increases brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptogenesis. J Biophotonics. 2015 Jun;8(6):502-11. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201400069. Epub 2014 Sep 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25196192 (View on PubMed)

Farfara D, Tuby H, Trudler D, Doron-Mandel E, Maltz L, Vassar RJ, Frenkel D, Oron U. Low-level laser therapy ameliorates disease progression in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Mol Neurosci. 2015 Feb;55(2):430-6. doi: 10.1007/s12031-014-0354-z. Epub 2014 Jul 4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24994540 (View on PubMed)

Johnstone DM, Moro C, Stone J, Benabid AL, Mitrofanis J. Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci. 2016 Jan 11;9:500. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00500. eCollection 2015.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26793049 (View on PubMed)

Schiffer F, Johnston AL, Ravichandran C, Polcari A, Teicher MH, Webb RH, Hamblin MR. Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety. Behav Brain Funct. 2009 Dec 8;5:46. doi: 10.1186/1744-9081-5-46.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19995444 (View on PubMed)

Michalikova S, Ennaceur A, van Rensburg R, Chazot PL. Emotional responses and memory performance of middle-aged CD1 mice in a 3D maze: effects of low infrared light. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2008 May;89(4):480-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2007.07.014. Epub 2007 Sep 12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17855128 (View on PubMed)

Blanco NJ, Maddox WT, Gonzalez-Lima F. Improving executive function using transcranial infrared laser stimulation. J Neuropsychol. 2017 Mar;11(1):14-25. doi: 10.1111/jnp.12074. Epub 2015 May 28.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26017772 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2016P001134

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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