Blue LED Light and DementiaShayne Ladak, MD, CMD, ABDA

Medical Director & Principal Investigator, St Louis Clinical Trials

P. Shaun Barbour, PhD, MPLCConsultant, Evolution Research Group

DisclosuresPresenters do not have any financial relationships

that are relevant to this presentation.

Presenters do not endorse or recommend any company or product mentioned.

Examples provided are solely for illustration purposes.

What is Blue LED?Light Emitting Diode that produces light within the spectrum of 400-500nm.

Violet 400-450nmBlue 450-500nm

Action SpectrumFor the purposes of dementia care, we are talking about Blue LED light in the range of 447-476nm.

The Blue light from electronic devices, such as a smart phone, is 415-445nm (the range that is reported to disrupt melatonin production).

Action spectrum 447-476nm is most productive. The Philips GoLite produces only the action spectrum. Same colour as morning sky.

The Dark Side of Blue LED

The therapeutic wavelength of Blue LED used in dementia care is 447-476nm.

Not the same as the blue light from your phone and other devices, which is 415-445nm.

History of Blue LED Light Devices

The Blue LED device was created in 1993 by Shuji Nakamura while working for Nichia Corporation.

The original devices operated at a wavelength of approximately 470nm.

Current devices have more specific wavelength parameters:

Psoriasis 453nmEmotional well-being 447-476nm

Uses of Blue LEDDermatological (Psoriasis, Acne)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression/Anxiety/Fatigue

Reducing effects of sundowning

Supporting healthy sleep

Jaundice in newborns

Antibacterial

*** Blue LED light should not be used by people with congenital porphyria, a family history of porphyria, or who are using photosensitizing substances.

How does it work in Dementia Care?Direct link to the suprachiasmatic nucleus through optical blue light receptors

• 2001• George Brainard• Jefferson Medical

Collage & Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.

Sundowning30 minutes per day

Within the visual field

Before 3pm

Current Research

Examples of Devices

Do your homework

Know the wavelength

Know the purpose

Know the manufacturer

Q & A