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.