Can Light Heal the Brain? REGEnLIFE Explores Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer’s
In the search for new therapies to combat Alzheimer’s disease, one company is quite literally shining a light on the problem. REGEnLIFE, a member of the StartUp Health Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community, is pioneering a non-invasive technology that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to modulate inflammation and promote cellular healing in the brain – and it’s showing real promise.
Produced by Nicole Kinsey
We sat down with StartUp Health member Guillaume Blivet, CEO & Co-founder of REGEnLIFE, to learn how his team is applying photobiomodulation, or light therapy, to treat complex neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and treatment-resistant depression. The science is compelling: Light, delivered at just the right wavelength, may activate mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and target inflammation – all key components in the fight against neurodegenerative disease.
Illuminating Innovation: How Light Therapy Works
Photobiomodulation isn't new, but its application to brain health is pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible. REGEnLIFE’s approach harnesses red and near-infrared light to activate cellular processes at the mitochondrial level, essentially giving cells the energy and support they need to function more effectively and heal. This technique has long been used in skin therapies and wound care, but REGEnLIFE is aiming the beam deeper.
One of their biggest technological hurdles? Getting light through the skull and into the brain. REGEnLIFE’s answer: a custom-designed, modular helmet with optical guides that maximize light delivery while navigating hair, bone, and tissue. It’s innovation designed with precision.
Targeting the Brain–Gut Axis
What makes REGEnLIFE’s approach stand out is their dual-targeting strategy. In preclinical studies, they discovered that combining light therapy on both the brain and the gut produced significantly better results than targeting either alone. This taps into the fast-growing understanding of the brain-gut connection, where inflammation and microbiome imbalances in the gut can directly influence neurological health.
“We’ve seen the strongest therapeutic effects when we apply light simultaneously to the head and the abdomen,” says Blivet. “It confirms that the gut plays an important role in the development of brain diseases – and in their treatment.”
From Hospitals to Homes: Expanding Access
REGEnLIFE’s treatment is currently being tested in hospitals across France in a pivotal clinical trial focused on mild to moderate Alzheimer’s patients. Each patient undergoes multiple 20-minute sessions per week over six months. But the vision goes further: once approved, the therapy could be administered at home, giving patients greater autonomy and access to consistent care.
And Alzheimer’s is just the beginning. The team is planning clinical trials in treatment-resistant depression, where the therapy would be used alongside antidepressant medications. This adjunctive approach opens the door to broader applications in neuropsychiatry and beyond.
Strengthening the Brain, Not Just Attacking the Disease
Unlike therapies that focus on removing amyloid plaques or tau tangles – the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s – REGEnLIFE’s light therapy supports the brain’s natural healing systems. “We’re not trying to destroy the cause of the disease,” says Blivet. “We’re aiming to strengthen the cells so the brain can fight back.”
By improving mitochondrial function, reducing inflammation, and enhancing cellular resilience, the therapy may give the brain the tools to manage and potentially slow neurodegeneration.
A Global Perspective from the South of France
Blivet is building REGEnLIFE from Montpellier, France, a sunny, health-conscious region with a growing health tech ecosystem. “There’s a strong emphasis on preventive health here,” he says. “We’re surrounded by medtech innovators, and we’re proud to bring that mindset to our work.”
The company’s approach also aligns with Europe’s “One Health” concept, which connects medical, nutritional, and environmental health into a holistic model of care – a philosophy that resonates deeply with REGEnLIFE’s commitment to non-invasive, accessible therapies.
What’s Next
With clinical trials underway and international interest growing, REGEnLIFE is positioning itself at the forefront of a new frontier in Alzheimer’s care. Their work could lead to a future where light therapy is as commonplace as pharmaceuticals – safe, effective, and delivered not just in hospitals, but in homes around the world.
As a proud member of our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community, Guillaume Blivet of REGEnLIFE embodies the spirit of radical innovation needed to end Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Published: Jul 29, 2025
