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Photobiomodulation (PBM) Information Sheet

Photobiomodulation (PBM) Information Sheet

September, 2024

Molecular Mechanisms of Alzheimer disease:

  • decreased cognitive functioning
  • decreased capacity to learn new information
  • decreased memory capacity
  • decreased ability for decision making
  • decreased language abilities
  • decreased motor activities
  • decreased mitochondrial functioning due to decreased enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity
  • abnormal deposition of Beta-Amyloid protein in the brain
  • imbalance of mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins
  • increased neuronal inflammation by microglial and astrocyte cell activity
  • induction of heat shock proteins
  • induction of cyclooxygenase pathway
  • NF Kappa beta stimulated neuritis
  • increased oxidative stress from increased reactivity oxygen species (ROS)
  • decreased ATP production by the mitochondria
  • increased expression of neurofibrillary tangles

Benefits of Photobiomodulation ( PBM) in Alzheimer disease:

  • transcranial application of:
  • red light (600-770nm)
  • near infrared light (760-1200nm)
  • removes deposition of Beta-Amyloid protein in the brain
  • induces changes in the genetic expression BACE1 and Cathepsin B enzymes
  • inactivates JNK3 gene that lead to decreased endocytosis resulting in less beta-amyloid protein deposition
  • 1070nm NIR depletes beta-amyloid deposition
  • improves cognitive functions such as memory and learning
  • promotes vasodilation by increasing cerebral blood flow
  • this removes metabolic waste
  • helps remove beta-amyloid breakdown debris
  • disaffiliates the nitric oxide (NO) inhibitor and thereby increasing the availability of cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) enzyme in maintaining mitochondrial membrane function and potential
  • increases oxygen consumption
  • increases glucose metabolism
  • increases ATP biosynthesis by the mitochondria
  • regulates mitochondrial homeostasis
  • allows for recovery of damaged human neuronal progenitor cells by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis
  • enhances cytochrome C oxidase activity (CCO)
  • increases the efficiency of ATP production by the mitochondria
  • improves the flow of electrons through the electron transport chain
  • increases mitochondrial membrane potential
  • specifically stimulates the activity of complex VI in the mitochondria
  • promotes new mitochondria generation
  • lowers inflammatory response
  • decreases neuronal degradation
  • shifts the microglial phenotype from M1 (proinflammatory) to M2 (antiinflammatory)
  • decreases Beta-Amyloid production
  • decreases the expression of inflammatory markers in Alzheimer disease
  • modulates proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)
  • near infrared (NIR) light decreases microglial toxicity
  • near infrared (NIR) light promotes neuron survival
  • decreases oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS), toxins, heavy metal, etc…
  • increases antioxidant enzyme capacity
  • increase the positive aspects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by provoking cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-necrotic effects of neurons
  • increases cerebral blood flow through nitric oxide (NO) mediated vasodilation
  • decreases depression by altering glutamatergic dysfunction by regulating GLT-1 mRNA protein
  • enhances tissue repair
  • utilizes neuroprotective properties
  • stimulates neurogenesis (formation of new neurons)
  • promotes synaptogenesis (formation of new synapses)
  • promotes neural repair and functional recovery
  • influences neuronal activity by altering ion channel functioning and neurotransmitter release
  • has a positive effect on the rest-activity rhythm of Alzheimer disease

Benefits of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):

  • improves cognitive function
  • decreases post concussive symptoms
  • accelerate recovery in patients with mild-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • neuroprotective effects
  • anti-inflammatory effects

Benefits of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in Stroke:

  • enhances neurogenesis (growth of new neurons)
  • decreases brain damage
  • improves functional recovery
  • improves motor function
  • enhances rehab outcomes

Benefits of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in Parkinson disease:

  • neuroprotective from continued loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra part of the brain
  • may lower the accumulation of alpha synuclein within neurons called Lwey Bodies
  • may heal vascular damage from proinflammatory cytokines
  • may heal blood brain barrier leakage from proinflammatory cytokines
  • may heal the gut microbiome
  • increases mitochondrial function by increasing ATP production
  • lowers microglial activation from inflammation
  • may restore gut motility and vagus nerve activity
  • may reduce alpha synuclein accumulation in the gut
  • reduces inflammation by lowering proinflammatory cytokine levels such as TNF alpha, interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6)
  • decreases neuronal damage
  • slows disease progression
  • improves cognitive function
  • improves motor and mobility performance (i.e., walking, gait, tremors, writing, fine motor control)
  • may improve sense of smell
  • may improve mood
  • may improve social interactions
  • influences the gut microbiome to reduce alpha synuclein accumulation in the gut
  • may improve glymphatics which helps remove toxins from the brain
  • may improve confidence
  • may improve balance
  • improves angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) 
  • improves collateral and capillary revascularization
  • improves blood flow
  • improves blood filling in the cerebral hemispheres
  • decreases gliosis (scarring in the brain)
  • induces neurogenesis (new neuron formation)
  • induces regenerative cerebral changes

Benefits of Photobiomodulation (PBM) for Pain:

  • analgesic effect on pain
  • decreases inflammation
  • increases tissue repair
  • decreases neuropathic pain by decreasing inflammation

Benefits of Photobiomodulation (PBM) for Depression:

  • influences brain activity of glutamatergic neurons
  • promotes neuroplasticity
  • has mood modulating effects
  • used in conjunction with pharmaceuticals and NOT in place of meds

Excerpted from: 

“Unleashing light’s healing power: an overview of photobiomodulation for Alzheimer treatment”. Ramanishankar, A., Singh, A., Begum, R., Jayasankar, N., Prajapati, B., Nirenjen, S.  Future Science OA, 10:1/ fsoa-2023-0155, 2024.

“Parkinson’s Disease and Photobiomodulation: Potential for Treatment.”  Bicknell, B., Liebert, A., Herkes, G.  Journal of Personalized Medicine, 2024, 14, 112, pages 1-32.

“Photobiomodulation for the Brain.  Photobiomodulation Therapy in Neurology and Neuropsychiatry”  Salehpour, F, Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Mamoudi, J., Kamari, F., Cassano, P., Hamblin, M. Springer, 2023.

“Photobiomodulation in the Brain.  Low Level Laser Light Therapy in Neurology and Neuroscience.”  Edited by: Hamblin, M., Huang, Y.Y.  Elsevier Academic Press, 2019.