Flashing light therapy could ward off Alzheimer’s, according to a report published by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Researchers used mice genetically engineered to have Alzheimer’s-type damage in the brain to test whether light suppresses beta amyloid plaques seen in the disease.
Published in Nature journal, the report found that when the mice were put in front of the flashing light for an hour with a rate of flashes at 40 per second, there was a noticeable reduction in beta amyloid over the next 12 to 24 hours.
Repetition on every day for a week led to even greater reductions.
Dean of MIT’s school of science Michael Sipser said: ‘Our MIT scientists have opened the door to an entirely new direction of research on this brain disorder and the mechanisms that may cause or prevent it.’
Scientists are now seeking permission from the US regulator to test the therapy on humans.