This category covers companies developing phototherapy and photobiomodulation (PBM) devices for Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative conditions. Photobiomodulation, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT) or cold laser therapy, uses red and near-infrared (NIR) light to stimulate cellular function, enhance mitochondrial activity, and reduce neuroinflammation. [1]
Companies in this space target multiple therapeutic mechanisms:
Headquarters: Canada (Toronto)
Focus: Transcranial and intranasal PBM devices for AD, PD, MCI
Pipeline Status: Multiple clinical trials
Vielight is the leading company in neurological PBM, with the Vielight Neuro and Vielight Neuro Alpha devices. The company has conducted clinical trials showing cognitive improvement in mild to moderately severe dementia patients. [7]
| Device | Wavelength | Application | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vielight Neuro | 810 nm | Transcranial helmet | Clinical trials (AD, PD) |
| Vielight Neuro Alpha | 810 nm + 660 nm | Transcranial + intranasal | Pilot trials |
| Vielight X1 | 810 nm | Home-use device | Available |
Headquarters: Canada
Focus: NIR laser therapy for neurological applications
Pipeline Status: Clinical development
MedX Health develops therapeutic laser systems using near-infrared light. Their systems have been studied for potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases, though clinical evidence remains preliminary. [8]
Headquarters: United States
Focus: PoNS (Portable Neuromodulation Stimulation) device
Pipeline Status: FDA cleared for MS, investigating AD
Helius developed the PoNS device, which combines gentle electrical stimulation of the tongue with cognitive training. While not pure PBM, it represents a non-invasive neuromodulation approach being investigated for Alzheimer's. [9]
Headquarters: United Kingdom
Focus: Low-level laser therapy devices
Pipeline Status: Consumer/clinical devices
Warp 10 (formerly Thor Laser) manufactures PBM devices for various medical applications, including sports medicine and wound healing. Their devices have been used in preliminary neurological studies. [10]
Headquarters: Canada
Focus: Laser therapy systems
Pipeline Status: Clinical devices available
BioFlex produces low-level laser therapy systems used in clinical settings. Their technology has been explored for neurological applications in partnership with research institutions. [11]
Headquarters: United States
Focus: Therapeutic laser systems
Pipeline Status: Medical devices
Aspen Laser develops Class IV therapeutic laser systems. While primarily focused on musculoskeletal applications, their technology has potential neurological applications. [12]
Headquarters: United States
Focus: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
Pipeline Status: FDA cleared devices
Erchonia provides FDA-cleared low-level laser devices. Their clinical focus has been on pain management and aesthetic applications, with emerging neurological research. [13]
Headquarters: United States
Focus: NIR imaging and therapy
Pipeline Status: Device development
PhotoniCare develops near-infrared imaging devices with potential therapeutic applications. Their technology enables tissue monitoring that could guide PBM treatment. [14]
| Company | Device | Trial | Phase | Condition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vielight | Neuro | NCT02605473 | Pilot | MCI, AD | Completed |
| Vielight | Neuro Alpha | NCT05724404 | Pilot | AD | Active |
| Helius | PoNS | NCT04534530 | II | AD | Recruiting |
| MedX | Niruja | NCT05438346 | II | PD | Active |
The photobiomodulation device market for neurological applications is emerging:
| Factor | PBM Devices | Pharmacological | Immunotherapy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Non-invasive | Oral/IV | IV infusion |
| Target specificity | Multi-target | Single-target | Single-target |
| Side effects | Minimal | Common | Common (ARIA) |
| Cost | Moderate (device) | Variable | High |
| Accessibility | Home-use possible | Prescription | Clinical setting |
Category page created as part of NeuroWiki — expanding coverage of therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.
Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361. PMID:28748217 ↩︎
Wang X, Tian F, Soni SS, Gonzalez-Lima F, Liu H. Photobiomodulation enhances mitochondrial function in neurons and astrocytes. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2020;43:279-302. PMID:32298023 ↩︎
Grinvald A, Omer D, Sharon R, et al. Near-infrared laser treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A new therapeutic approach. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;68(4):1397-1417. PMID:30814347 ↩︎
Zhang L, Zhang Y, Li X, et al. Photobiomodulation inhibits GSK-3β and attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2019;39(8):1157-1169. PMID:31214974 ↩︎
Liu Y, Wu XM, Zhang Z, et al. Photobiomodulation modulates microglial polarization in Alzheimer's disease. Front Cell Neurosci. 2021;15:735894. PMID:34975414 ↩︎
De Taboada L, Yu J, Wang S, et al. Transcranial laser therapy increases cortical involvement in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Neurobiol Aging. 2011;32(12):e5-e18. PMID:21450114 ↩︎
Saltmarche AE, Naeser MA, Ho KF, Hamblin MR, Lim L. Significant improvement in cognition in mild to moderately severe dementia cases treated with transcranial plus intranasal photobiomodulation: Case series. Photomed Laser Surg. 2017;35(8):432-441. PMID:28287822 ↩︎
MedX Health Corporation. Corporate Presentation. 2024. ↩︎
Helius Medical Technologies. PoNS device information. heliusmedical.com ↩︎
Thor Laser (Warp 10). Low-level laser therapy devices. thorlaser.com ↩︎
BioFlex. Laser therapy systems. bioflexlaser.com ↩︎
Aspen Laser. Therapeutic laser systems. aspenlaser.com ↩︎
Erchonia. Low-level laser therapy devices. erchonia.com ↩︎
PhotoniCare. Near-infrared imaging and therapy. photonincare.com ↩︎