34 Participants Needed

Light Therapy for Autism

(TPBMASD Trial)

Recruiting in New York (>99 mi)
+1 other location
KS
ES
Overseen ByEugenia Steingold, PhD

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a special headband that shines infrared light on the heads of children aged 2 to 6 with moderate to severe autism. The light may help improve brain function and reduce autism symptoms.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, participants must stop taking any psychotropic medications (drugs that affect mood, perception, or behavior) before joining the trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cognilum TM for autism?

Research on photobiomodulation, a therapy using red to near-infrared light, shows it may help improve brain function and reduce symptoms in autism, such as social difficulties and repetitive behaviors. A study found that 50% of adults with autism who received this light therapy showed significant improvement in social responsiveness and overall functioning.12345

Is light therapy, also known as Cognilum TM, safe for humans?

There is no specific safety data available for light therapy or Cognilum TM in the provided research articles.678910

How does the treatment Cognilum TM differ from other treatments for autism?

Cognilum TM, involving light therapy, is unique because it uses transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), which involves applying red to near-infrared light to the brain to improve brain function and reduce autism symptoms. Unlike traditional treatments, it is non-pharmacological and focuses on enhancing brain connectivity and reducing inflammation, offering a novel approach for managing autism.1231112

Research Team

YF

Yuli Fradkin, MD

Principal Investigator

RDT Group NJ

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 2-6 with moderate to severe autism. They can participate even if they have another psychiatric disorder, as long as it's not excluded, and are allowed to continue behavioral therapies during the study. Parents must understand the study and consent.

Inclusion Criteria

Parents of participants must be aware of the nature of the study.
Participants between the ages of 2 and 6 years old, both male and female, of any race.
It's okay if you're receiving behavioral therapy while participating in the study. The analysis will take into account the participants receiving therapy in both the control and experimental groups. The study found no problems or conflicts between the therapy and the treatment being studied.
See 11 more

Exclusion Criteria

Any use of light-activated drugs (photodynamic therapy) within 14 days prior to study enrollment (in US: Visudine (verteporfin) - for age related macular degeneration; Aminolevulinic Acid- for actinic keratoses; Photofrin (porfimer sodium) - for esophageal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer; Levulan Kerastick (aminolevulinic acid HCl) - for actinic keratosis; 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)- for non-melanoma skin cancer)
You are currently taking medication for mental health reasons.
The child has been engaging in severe self-harming behavior or severe aggressive behavior towards themselves or others in the past week.
See 6 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Transcranial photobiomodulation is administered twice a week for 8 weeks

8 weeks
16 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Cognilum TM
Trial Overview The trial tests whether transcranial photobiomodulation (light therapy) can reduce autism symptoms in children. It involves light treatment twice a week for 8 weeks, with results measured by interviews, CARS scores, and EEG data.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: CognilumTMExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
During the study participants will be wearing the photobiomodulation device Cognilum. The device will administer the stimulation of near infrared light (830nm) to specific areas of the child's brain.
Group II: Placebo conditionPlacebo Group1 Intervention
During the study participants will be wearing the photobiomodulation device. The device will not be turned on and therefore no brain stimulation with near infrared light (830nm) will be provided.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

JelikaLite LLC

Lead Sponsor

Trials
3
Recruited
100+

Findings from Research

Photobiomodulation, which uses red to near-infrared light, shows promise as a potential treatment for autism by improving brain connectivity, reducing inflammation, and positively affecting the gut microbiome.
This mini-review suggests that photobiomodulation could address key abnormalities associated with autism, making it a treatment option that deserves more research and exploration.
Lights on for Autism: Exploring Photobiomodulation as an Effective Therapeutic Option.Hamilton, C., Liebert, A., Pang, V., et al.[2022]
Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) was found to be a safe and feasible treatment for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with 50% of participants showing significant improvement in symptoms after 8 weeks of treatment.
Participants experienced a notable reduction in ASD symptom severity, particularly in areas like social awareness and communication, along with improvements in overall functioning and quality of life, while only mild side effects were reported.
Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Positive Findings from a Proof-of-Concept Study.Ceranoglu, TA., Cassano, P., Hoskova, B., et al.[2022]
Low-level laser acupuncture (LLLA) therapy significantly improved the severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms and language abilities in children, with a notable difference in improvement compared to the control group (P = 0.002; 0.03).
LLLA therapy also led to a significant reduction in plasma BDNF levels in the treatment group (P < 0.001), suggesting a potential mechanism of action, while miR-320 expression did not change, indicating its diagnostic value in distinguishing children with ASD from neurotypical peers.
Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical, Molecular, and Biochemical Study.Elsheikh, MS., Ashaat, EA., Ramadan, A., et al.[2023]

References

Lights on for Autism: Exploring Photobiomodulation as an Effective Therapeutic Option. [2022]
Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Positive Findings from a Proof-of-Concept Study. [2022]
Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical, Molecular, and Biochemical Study. [2023]
Treatment Response of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Intellectually Capable Youth and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2023]
Evaluating the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture as a treatment for childhood autism using single photon emission computed tomography. [2021]
[Review of psychopharmacological treatments in adolescents and adults with autistic disorders]. [2007]
Safety and Efficacy of Memantine in Children with Autism: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study and Open-Label Extension. [2022]
A pilot study of clomipramine in young autistic children. [2022]
Effect of Adding l -Carnitine to Risperidone on Behavioral, Cognitive, Social, and Physical Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With Autism: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. [2023]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Autism: biomedical complementary treatment approaches. [2013]
Transcranial Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Retrospective Study. [2023]
CME: Light Therapy: Why, What, for Whom, How, and When (And a Postscript about Darkness). [2022]