Quantitative electroencephalographic evaluations of electrophysiological biomarkers and impaired functional networks of older adults diagnosed with dementia

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder attributable to neurofibrillary tangles, senile neuritic plaques, and a reduction of neurons and synapses. Because the etiopathogenesis of AD is complex and its associated risk factors are not well understood, clinical interventions to effectively treat AD are being devel-

Pharmacodynamic Implications of Transcranial Photobiomodulation and Quantum Physics in Clinical Medicine

“…Because the clinicopathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders often implicates alterations of neuronal communication between divergent Brodmann areas and functional connectivity networks, the conversion of photons from light therapies may improve cognitive functioning [12]. While comprehensive understanding of the factors that interact to induce the pathognomonic correlates of AD remain elusive, a prominent hypothesis of the etiopathogenesis of AD is related to the brain's inability to adequately produce cellular energy [12][13][14][15][16].…”

“…As the clinicopathogenic processes that underlie AD include diffuse neural degeneration and functional connectivity alterations, this suggests that dysregulation of the posterior dominant rhythm is a cardinal feature of severe disease progression [12]. Neurophysiological assessments within AD populations often indicate reduced signal complexity, reducing synchrony consistent with disease progression, and robust slowing across the electroencephalographic (EEG) frequency spectrum [12].…”

“…Quantitative EEG (qEEG) analyses were applied by Williams to evaluate functional connectivity alterations within a PAD sample after exposure to an active infrared treatment using 1070 nm or placebo treatment that mimicked the tPBM intervention [12]. Diagnosis of PAD was determined using guidelines put forth by the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association [50].…”

“…Diagnosis of PAD was determined using guidelines put forth by the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association [50]. The sample (n=42) was composed of individuals between the ages of 40 to 85 which were randomly assigned to the active or control treatment group [12,50]. All participants received 6 to 8 minute eyes open and eyes closed qEEG assessments prior to exposure to the tPBM or sham intervention and at the conclusion of the 8 week study [12,50].…”

“…Because many pharmacological interventions induce significant side effects and have largely proven ineffective in curtailing degenerative processes, determining new non-invasive therapies for these disorders is imperative [7]. As the mechanisms by which transcranial PBM (tPBM) are based allow for deep tissue penetration; exposure of subcortical and cortical structures to LLLT interventions is associated with increased perfusion, cellular oxygenation, and renormalization of functional electrophysiological networks [12].…”