Author: RedlightsontheBrain

Redlightsonthebrain is written by Catherine Hamilton, a retired doctor on behalf of Light Ahead Inc, a Tasmanian-based not-for-profit organisation. Light Ahead Inc aims to help people to learn about neurogenerative diseases and the practical, safe and scientifically-based things that may be able to help. Part of this is to provide low-cost access to red light devices, hence the DIY instructions on this blog. All sales of the Coronet red light device support the work of Light Ahead Inc.

Blooming brain

The New Scientist published an article a few weeks ago called How to keep your brain blooming. It’s written by by James Goodwin, someone who knows a lot about brains.

Memory

The New Yorker has reviewed a non-fiction book written by the author of Still Alice.

Here’s the link.

It is a really interesting article, and definitely worth a read.

Kevin from NZ

This is for Kevin in New Zealand who left a message a few days ago. Unfortunately your email addressed bounced when I tried to send a response.

Can you email me on redlightsonthebrain@gmail.com?

LED strips vs individual LEDs

I’ve had a query about LED strips and individual LED lights. Both have their place.

I want to buy a light hat:

If you are thinking of investing hundreds of dollars into a commercial transcranial red and near infrared light device, make sure that you select a device made with individual LED lights.

Exercise and sleep in Alzheimer’s

The previous blog looked at a journal article entitled: Effects of exercise on sleep in neurodegenerative disease, and focussed on its comments about sleep, exercise and Parkinson’s disease. This post looks at what the article has to say about exercise, sleep and Alzheimer’s disease.

Exercise and sleep in Parkinson’s

Hot off the research press is a journal article with a self-explanatory title: Effects of exercise on sleep in neurodegenerative disease.

It starts by summarising the main things that affect sleep in people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases as being:

damage to the sleep-wake system in the brain, that affects the circadian rhythm and disrupts normal sleeping and waking patterns; and
“secondary mechanisms” which include a raft of things like medication side effects, having to get up to the toilet during the night, poor sleep “hygiene”, sleep-related breathing disorders, and the environment in which you try to sleep.