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Scientists who are testing helmets to beam infrared light into the brains of healthy volunteers have reported that it led to improvements in memory, motor function and processing skills. Another linked study on Alzheimer's disease patients has also reported 20% improvement in patients' memory function.

The studies were small - using between 30 and 60 patients - so now the scientists want to extend them to larger groups of people.

Dr Paul Chazot from Durham University led the research. He explained how using infrared light worked.

"It has multiple effects. First of all it increases blood flow in the brain so it gets oxygen into the brain more readily. It increases the cell battery function if you like... It increases various neuro-protective factors, genes and proteins which actually protect the brain from oxidative stress, inflamation, all the range of stresses that the brain actually has during aging and during the Alzheimer's disease process."

(Photo: Dr Paul Chazot holds a preclinical photobiomodulation therapy (PBM-T) test device while Dr Gordon Dougal, of Maculume Limited, fits the infrared light therapy helmet to case study Tracy Sloan. Credit: Durham University/North News & Pictures)

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