Advancing Non-Invasive Therapy for Cognitive Decline
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is often described as a “warning stage” between normal aging and dementia. About one in three people with MCI will go on to develop dementia, a condition already placing enormous pressure on families, caregivers, and Canada’s healthcare system. By 2030, new dementia cases are expected to rise by 65%.
Dr. Corinne Fischer and her team at Unity Health Toronto are working to change that outlook through an innovative, non-invasive therapy called transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM). The treatment involves wearing a headset that shines safe, near-infrared light into the brain, stimulating cells to produce more energy and, potentially, helping to improve memory and thinking skills.
We are very grateful for the support of The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation that has made it possible to pursue this important study. Given our strong preliminary data, we are hopeful that the results of this larger study will inform a future multi-centred study, ultimately translating into direct clinical benefits for patients and their families.Dr. Corinne Fischer, Principal Investigator.
With the support of The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, Dr. Fischer’s team recently completed a pilot study of 20 people living with MCI. Half used the tPBM headset at home daily for six weeks, while the other half used a sham device. The results were very encouraging: people who received the real treatment showed better memory and thinking, faster task completion, healthier brain scans, and even lower levels of Alzheimer’s-related markers in their blood.
With these promising results, the Foundation’s support is helping the team move forward with a larger clinical trial involving 60 MCI participants. The study will build stronger evidence and shed new light on how tPBM works inside the brain. This research could lead to a safe, at-home treatment that helps thousands of Canadians hold on to their independence and quality of life for longer.
Dr. Corinne Fischer, Principal Investigator.Photo Credit: Unity Health Toronto
“We are very grateful for the support of The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation that has made it possible to pursue this important study,” said Dr. Fischer. “Given our strong preliminary data, we are hopeful that the results of this larger study will inform a future multi-centred study, ultimately translating into direct clinical benefits for patients and their families.”
To learn more about this project, visit this link.
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