The effects of near-infrared transcranial and intranasal photobiomodulation on cognitive and motor function in a participant with anoxic brain injury: A single-participant study
Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is characterized by a transition from normal cardiac rhythm to erratic arrhythmias that end abruptly, halting cardiac output and systemic circulation. Every minute that elapses before the return of systemic circulation (ROSC) increases the probability of anoxic brain injury (ABI) — the global loss of oxygen — which may lead to reduced neurological and motor functioning.
Survivors of SCA often live with significant long-term disabilities, which negatively impact their overall quality of life. Medical professionals and researchers are tasked with finding new approaches to the treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation of post-SCA ABI patients that limit exposure to the negative side effects of pharmaceutical approaches. In addition, alternative approaches need to be accessible to survivors outside of expensive clinical treatments.
Photobiomodulation (PBI), the use of red and near-infrared light to treat various medical conditions, is an emerging, noninvasive, non-pharmaceutical approach to treating ABI. Research has shown that photons at these wavelengths elicit biological responses that positively impact ABI-associated pathologies by reducing cerebral inflammation, enhancing blood flow, increasing mitochondrial activity, mitigating excitotoxic damage, and improving cognitive and memory function.
Objective
The primary objective of this study was to determine whether transcranial near-infrared treatments would enhance cognition, memory, and motor function in a post-sudden cardiac arrest ABI individual.
Methods
The study participant was provided with the Vielight Neuro Gamma 4 transcranial and intranasal unit. Manufacturer instructions and recommended use guidelines were provided to the participant’s spouse. In addition, the spouse was provided with a log to record usage and any unusual responses to treatment, notable improvement, or decline in the participant's cognitive or motor function.
The treatment period covered 24 weeks. The initial four weeks encompassed a graduated increase to the manufacturer’s recommended daily use of 20 minutes, maximum, for 6 days per week for the study duration.
Results
Quantitative encephalogram (qEEG) scans were performed utilizing Braincore Neurofeedback software on March 6, 2025, and again on September 5, 2025. The March summary analysis report indicated pathological deviations from normalized waveforms in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. Waveform deviations and their correlations to ABI included neuronal white matter inflammation, excitotoxicity, slowed cognitive processing, mental confusion, and impaired short-term and sequential memory.
The September report did not include white matter inflammation as a key finding. The overall summary of all waveforms noted an average 58% movement toward normalization between the two scan dates.
Discussion
The participant was administered a cognition, memory, and motor function test before and after the treatment period. Improvements in sequential processing, short-term memory, executive function, focus, and visual/auditory attention were demonstrated between the two test dates.
Hallmarks of ABI include neuronal inflammation, impaired cognition, reduced cerebral perfusion, impaired mitochondrial function, and elevated excitotoxicity biomarkers. Conditions testable with qEEG waveform changes indicate improvements in these areas. In a comparative report, the qEEG color shifts reflect general movement toward more normative z-scores relative to age-matched reference databases.
Study limitations included the sample size and the absence of a control group.
Embargo Period
5-15-2026
The effects of near-infrared transcranial and intranasal photobiomodulation on cognitive and motor function in a participant with anoxic brain injury: A single-participant study
Suwanee, GA
Introduction
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is characterized by a transition from normal cardiac rhythm to erratic arrhythmias that end abruptly, halting cardiac output and systemic circulation. Every minute that elapses before the return of systemic circulation (ROSC) increases the probability of anoxic brain injury (ABI) — the global loss of oxygen — which may lead to reduced neurological and motor functioning.
Survivors of SCA often live with significant long-term disabilities, which negatively impact their overall quality of life. Medical professionals and researchers are tasked with finding new approaches to the treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation of post-SCA ABI patients that limit exposure to the negative side effects of pharmaceutical approaches. In addition, alternative approaches need to be accessible to survivors outside of expensive clinical treatments.
Photobiomodulation (PBI), the use of red and near-infrared light to treat various medical conditions, is an emerging, noninvasive, non-pharmaceutical approach to treating ABI. Research has shown that photons at these wavelengths elicit biological responses that positively impact ABI-associated pathologies by reducing cerebral inflammation, enhancing blood flow, increasing mitochondrial activity, mitigating excitotoxic damage, and improving cognitive and memory function.
Objective
The primary objective of this study was to determine whether transcranial near-infrared treatments would enhance cognition, memory, and motor function in a post-sudden cardiac arrest ABI individual.
Methods
The study participant was provided with the Vielight Neuro Gamma 4 transcranial and intranasal unit. Manufacturer instructions and recommended use guidelines were provided to the participant’s spouse. In addition, the spouse was provided with a log to record usage and any unusual responses to treatment, notable improvement, or decline in the participant's cognitive or motor function.
The treatment period covered 24 weeks. The initial four weeks encompassed a graduated increase to the manufacturer’s recommended daily use of 20 minutes, maximum, for 6 days per week for the study duration.
Results
Quantitative encephalogram (qEEG) scans were performed utilizing Braincore Neurofeedback software on March 6, 2025, and again on September 5, 2025. The March summary analysis report indicated pathological deviations from normalized waveforms in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. Waveform deviations and their correlations to ABI included neuronal white matter inflammation, excitotoxicity, slowed cognitive processing, mental confusion, and impaired short-term and sequential memory.
The September report did not include white matter inflammation as a key finding. The overall summary of all waveforms noted an average 58% movement toward normalization between the two scan dates.
Discussion
The participant was administered a cognition, memory, and motor function test before and after the treatment period. Improvements in sequential processing, short-term memory, executive function, focus, and visual/auditory attention were demonstrated between the two test dates.
Hallmarks of ABI include neuronal inflammation, impaired cognition, reduced cerebral perfusion, impaired mitochondrial function, and elevated excitotoxicity biomarkers. Conditions testable with qEEG waveform changes indicate improvements in these areas. In a comparative report, the qEEG color shifts reflect general movement toward more normative z-scores relative to age-matched reference databases.
Study limitations included the sample size and the absence of a control group.