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Home Built Invention Reverses Dementia Effects

By Andrew ⋅ July 16, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅ Post a comment

A dementia beating helmet device built in the home laboratory of an English North East Doctor has proven very successful after a man from North Kentucky was found to respond very well to the twice a day treatment. The American man was suffering from an advanced and aggressive form of dementia but the neuron stimulating technology has turned him from an isolated and very dependent man into a much more capable person, which has given him much of his independence back.

The technology was developed by General Practitioner, Dr. Gordon Dougal, at home in his private laboratory during his spare time. Treatment is delivered through a helmet which contains groups of light-emitting diodes designed to stimulate neurons in the brain which in turn, can help reverse the effects of advanced dementia.

Clem Fennell, the dementia sufferer in question, was treated twice daily for eighteen minutes per session with the helmet and after only three weeks was again able to hold a conversation, go shopping and look after himself, which was previously impossible for him to do after the dementia had taken effect.

Clem was first diagnosed with advanced dementia in 2006 and his condition had since declined to the point where he was completely incapable of looking after himself without his wife, Vickey Fennell. As soon as the confusion and forgetfulness became noticeable it was clear to both Mr. and Mrs. Fennell that there was a problem. Mrs. Fennell said: “I would ask him, ‘what do you think about something’ and he would say ‘I don’t think’”.

It was Clem’s wife who first made contact with Dr. Dougal after hearing about his new treatment techniques on CBS television and shortly afterwards a visit was arranged. After Dr. Dougal carried out some examinations on Clem he confirmed that he was indeed suitable for the treatment and they began. For three weeks the treatment was successfully carried out on Clem, twice daily.

Clem’s wife commented on the changes the treatment has made: “My husband, Clem, was fading away. It is as if he is back. His personality has started to show again. We are absolutely thrilled.” Developer of the new technology, Dr. Dougal, said: “Potentially, this is hugely significant.”

The technology is based around infrared light and it’s now clear healing properties. Before the “anti-dementia” helmet was developed, Dr Dougal developed a similar tool alongside his business partner, which could be used to treat skin disorders using similar technology.

Scientists at Sunderland University in England have begun to study the techniques used by Dr. Dougal in an attempt to understand exactly how “light therapy” can be used to treat other conditions. It’s currently believed that the infrared wavelength of 1072 nanometers is responsible for the positive effects, but more research is needed.

Tags: breakthrough, dementia, infrared