Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8AYFvLNJQA/ Exposure to near infrared light from a helmet just after a moderate traumatic brain injury increases the connectivity between brain regions.  This the conclusion of a small, pilot study at Harvard’s Mass General Hospital.  A total of 17 patients received three 20 minute treatments over 36 hours with a Photomedex helmet emitting low-level 810 nm near-infrared light.  Twenty one control patients received sham treatments wearing helmets with lights turned off.  Near-infrared light capably penetrates the scalp and skull bones to reach brain matter.   The data revealed that light therapy increased brain connectivity as measured by functional MRI during the acute to early-subacute phases of recovery.  However, this effect waned as time wore on.  Furthermore, this limited light light treatment did not impact functional outcome.  Larger studies with repeated light therapy sessions are planned.  Hopefully, these light helmets will hasten the recovery of traumatic brain inju