Light Therapy Offers Flicker Of Hope For Alzheimer’s Patients
Research has shown that immune cells that are a key part of the brain’s cleanup crew can be activated by flickering lights.
Los Angeles Times:
Flickering Lights May Illuminate A Path To Alzheimer's Treatment
New research demonstrates that, in mice whose brains are under attack by Alzheimer’s dementia, exposure to lights that flicker at a precise frequency can right the brain’s faulty signaling and energize its immune cells to fight off the disease. Light therapy for Alzheimer’s is miles from being ready to treat patients — even those with the earliest signs of the disease. But the new research has already prompted creation of a start-up company — Cognito Therapeutics Inc. — to approach the Food and Drug Administration about clinical trials, and to explore ways to deliver precisely calibrated flickers of light to human research subjects. (Healy, 12/7)
In other public health news —
Los Angeles Times:
Scientists Find Antibody That Hinders The Spread Of Certain Cancer Cells
Researchers in Spain have taken a key step in unraveling one of nature’s most malignant mysteries: How do cancerous tumor cells that establish a beachhead in one organ strike out in search of new territory to colonize? And more important, how might they be stopped? (Healy, 12/7)