Pilot Intervention With Near Infrared Stimulation

This is a pilot study of the efficacy of NIR stimulation for enhancing cognition and mood in
nondemented older adults including individuals with Parkinson disease. Prior research
suggests that NIR exposure may be neuroprotective and increases energy available to neurons.
The current study will test whether age-related cognitive and mood changes in older adults
and those with Parkinson disease will be affected by near infrared (NIR) stimulation.

The study team will randomize older adults and those with Parkinson disease into treatment
groups and evaluate neuroimaging and cognitive outcome measures, before and after an 8-week
intervention involving transcranial and intranasal NIR. The protocol will involve both " lab"
and " home-based" NIR stimulation. The overall hypothesis, drawn from previous literature, is
that exposure to NIR stimulation will have positive effects on brain health and will result
in better cognitive and mood performance.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Cognitively normal older adults

- Community dwelling

- At least 8th grade education and ability to read on 8th grade level

- English as primary language

- On stable doses of medications for at least 2 months

- No significant sensory or motor issues that would preclude use of computer, hearing or
vision

Exclusion Criteria:

- Dementia or mild cognitive impairment (except for Parkinson subgroup)

- Previous stroke or other brain disorders/disease (i.e.,, MS, seizures, moderate TBI,
etc.). Exception is Parkinson disease for the Parkinson subgroup.

- Unstable or uncontrolled medical conditions (HIV, severe kidney, liver disease, etc)

- Current or past history of major psychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, active
psychosis, bipolar disorder), current major depression episode, current alcohol or
substance abuse or history thereof in past six months

- Use of antipsychotics or other medications with significant anticholinergic properties

- Use of photo-sensitive medications such as steroids or retin-A within 15 days of study
intervention

- Diagnosis of active cancer

- Inability to undergo brain imaging on two occasions

Additional criteria for participants in Parkinson group

- Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease by a movement disorders specialized
neurologist based on UK Brain Bank criteria

- Hoehn-Yahr staging between .5 and 3.5

- No previous history of DBS, pallidotomy, fetal cell implants, or other brain surgeries

- Participants in this subgroup may have mild cognitive impairment involving executive
or processing speed, consistent with cognitive sequelae of Parkinson disease