Stroke Victims Could Get Laser Treatment

A company called PhotoThera is testing a laser-based treatment for stroke victims that's designed to stimulate the brain, and help patients recover faster.

The device directs an infrared beam through the scalp, towards several different target areas in the brain. The treatment is supposed to be administered 24 hours after the onset of symptoms, and is believed to promote metabolism in the areas of the brain that receive the infrared tanning session.

So, does it work? We should find out before too long, as PhotoThera is in the midst of a large double-blind clinical trial.—Gregory Mone

Via MedGadget

Comments

[Garth]

If laser treatment heal and fast recovery that is very important treatment. Go ahead

[doctors-4u]

NeuroThera® uses a beam of infrared laser energy on areas of the brain affected by a loss of oxygenated blood. Justin Sattin, M.D., a Neurologist with the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, says cells in the immediate vicinity of a stroke have died and are not usually able to recover. However, just beyond that area, there are cells that are somewhat damaged, yet still capable of recovering. The NeuroThera laser targets these "salvageable" cells, and hopefully, prevents them from dying.
The exact mechanism of how the treatment works isn’t known. However, researchers believe the laser energy affects the mitochondria, the power sources for the cells. The mitochondria produce a chemical, called ATP, used by the cells for energy. The infrared light from the laser appears to increase production of ATP, perhaps giving the cells extra energy and improving their ability to recover from the stroke damage. And unlike tPA, which must be administered within three hours of the stroke, NeuroThera has a 24-hour window of use.
Once doctors determine a patient is having an ischemic stroke, the head is shaved (hair blocks the passage of infrared light). Next, a special cap is placed over the head. The cap contains about 20 holes, each about the size of a silver dollar. The HandPiece is placed over one of the holes. The laser energy is emitted from the HandPiece, through the scalp and into the brain, targeting the area of the injury. Treatment is given for two minutes. The HandPiece is placed over another hole and the process is repeated to apply the therapy from different directions. The treatment continues until it is delivered through all the holes in the cap.
Animal studies and early human studies indicate NeuroThera is a very effective, safe therapy for patients who have experienced an ischemic stroke. Currently, NeuroThera is being tested in a clinical trial.

[L..S..HANDIKIN,MD]

Thank you for this very important modality of treatment for stroke victims.If you consider how big are stroke problems and its psychological,social,economic impacts to society and human dignity through disability of personal communication and mobility.
Laser and its application in health industry will create an umbrella to healthy and prosperous society.
Kindly visit my blog:
http://cahayamasadepan.blogspot.com (Indonesian)
http://laser-med.blogspot.com (English).
LS Handiki,MD
President,The Indonesian Society for Laser Medicine
lshandik@gmail.com

[Ilham]

Stroke can be normal with several ways. one of them is natural treatment. means without any medicine or herb, just with normalization, for details, it can be seen in pennasia normalization (dot com). some people have got well. it is logic and scientific.

[Olga]

Hi, would this help my sister who suffered a brain haemrrage and stroke after se was dianged with cancer that same yar.
\
cost please. We support her as her husband lef with her boys.

Olga

[Pat]

My mom, age 77 had her second stroke a little over 2 months ago. The doctors have never seen a case like hers. Her hearing is fine, but she can't process the sounds into words. Sometimes she processes fine and then it's gone again. She can read what we write and her speech is fine. She has no other damage that we can see. We're puzzled and the doctors don't give us any suggestions for therapy. Anyone else out there with the same symptoms? Any ideas for therapy?

[Virus Heat Removal]

Very intersting. I hope the trials do go well. I'm all for inavsive surgery.

[lawsuit cash advance]

Thanks for making us aware about this technology. Kindly provide more information on this.