Light Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Mariana Figueiro, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Must not be taking: Sleep medication, Melatonin

Disqualifiers: Brain vascular disease, Parkinson's, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 24 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a special kind of light therapy, known as Active Lighting Intervention, can enhance well-being and improve sleep and mood in people with Alzheimer's disease. Participants will receive either active lighting that stimulates the body's natural rhythms or a placebo light that does not. The trial seeks individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's or related dementia who experience sleep difficulties. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the quality of life for those with Alzheimer's.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that participants do not use sleep medication or oral melatonin, so you would need to stop these if you are currently taking them.

What prior data suggests that this light therapy is safe for Alzheimer's patients?

Research has shown that light therapy is generally well-tolerated by people with dementia. In a small, carefully conducted study, bright light therapy reduced restlessness and sleep problems without causing significant side effects. Another study found that bright light therapy improved mood and thinking skills in older adults more effectively than regular lighting, again without notable negative effects. These findings suggest that light therapy could be a safe option for people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions. However, as with any treatment, individual experiences may differ, so discussing any concerns with a healthcare provider is important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Active Lighting Intervention for Alzheimer's Disease because it offers a novel approach by using light to stimulate the circadian system, potentially improving sleep and cognitive function. Unlike traditional treatments that primarily involve medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, this method leverages the natural influence of light on biological rhythms. By providing customizable light delivery options, it allows for a tailored approach that could enhance daily functioning and quality of life without the side effects typically associated with pharmaceutical options.

What evidence suggests that this light therapy is effective for Alzheimer's disease?

Studies have shown that light therapy can help people with Alzheimer's disease. Research indicates that bright light therapy improves sleep and reduces restlessness in people with dementia. One study found that bright light therapy worked better than regular lighting to improve thinking skills and reduce behavioral issues in older adults. In this trial, participants will receive either an Active Lighting Intervention, designed to stimulate the circadian system, or a Control Lighting Intervention, which does not stimulate the circadian system. Light therapy has also led to better sleep and mood with fewer side effects. These findings suggest that personalized light therapy might help manage symptoms in Alzheimer's patients. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Mariana Figueiro, PhD

Principal Investigator

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment. Participants will be involved in a study for 6 months, where they'll experience different lighting conditions to see how it affects their sleep, cognition, and mood.

Inclusion Criteria

I have Alzheimer's or similar dementia with a MoCA score below 25.

I have trouble sleeping, scoring 5 or more on a sleep quality test.

Exclusion Criteria

I am taking oral melatonin.

I use medication to help me sleep.

I have cataracts that block my vision.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the active Tailored Lighting Intervention (TLI) or placebo for 6 months

24 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Active Lighting Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests the effects of Tailored Lighting Intervention (TLI) versus placebo lighting on patients' circadian systems. It aims to understand if specific light exposure can improve sleep and cognitive functions in Alzheimer's patients.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active Lighting Intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

Combining spectrum and light level, the active TLI will allow the researchers to use a light source that will stimulate the circadian system and provide the participants with options as to how the light treatment will be delivered.

Group II: Control Lighting Intervention Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The control TLI will allow the researchers to use a light source that will not stimulate the circadian system and provide the participants with options as to how the light treatment will be delivered.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Lead Sponsor

Trials

933

Recruited

579,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12321612/

Brain photobiomodulation: a potential treatment in Alzheimer's ... Preclinical investigations demonstrated that brain photobiomodulation (bPBM) reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, increases cerebral blood ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610224025511

Bright light therapy for agitation in dementia: a randomized ... Results: There was limited evidence of reduction in agitation in people on active treatment, sleep was improved and a suggestion of greater efficacy in the ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.782160/full

Pilot Study of the Effects of Bright Ambient Therapy on ... In this pilot study, bright light therapy was more effective than general lighting at improving BPSD and cognitive function among older adults ...

4. journals.plos.org journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0293977

The effect of light therapy on sleep disorders and ... Light therapy leads to significant improvement in sleep and psychobehavioral symptoms and is associated with relatively fewer side effects in patients with AD.

5. alzheimers.org.uk alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/treatments/alternative-therapies/light-therapy-and-dementia

Light therapy and dementia One small but well-conducted study showed promising effects of bright light therapy on restlessness and disturbed sleep for people with dementia. A large and ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03160027

Photobiomodulation for Improving Brain Function in ... Photobiomodulation (PBM) describes a kind of light therapy that uses red or near-infrared light to stimulate, heal, regenerate, and protect tissue that has ...