Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Parkinson’s Disease—Near-Infrared Photobiomodulation as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy

Near Infrared (NIR)/Red Light Therapy, Parkinson’s Disease

As the main driver of energy production in eukaryotes, mitochondria are invariably implicated in disorders of cellular bioenergetics. Given that dopaminergic neurons affected in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are particularly susceptible to energy fluctuations by their high basal energy demand, it is not surprising to note that mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as a compelling candidate underlying…

Applications of photobiomodulation in hearing research: from bench to clinic

Near Infrared (NIR)/Red Light Therapy, Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is very common and economically burdensome. No accepted therapeutic modality for sensorineural hearing loss is yet available; most clinicians emphasize rehabilitation, placing hearing aids and cochlear implants. Photobiomodulation (PBM) employs light energy to enhance or modulate the activities of specific organs, and is a popular non-invasive therapy used to treat skin lesions and…

Phototherapy during treadmill training improves quadriceps performance in postmenopausal women

Near Infrared (NIR)/Red Light Therapy, Sports

This study evaluated the effects of infrared-light-emitting diode (LED) during treadmill training on functional performance. Thirty postmenopausal women aged 50-60 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups and successfully completed the full study. The three groups were: (1) the LED group, which performed treadmill training associated with phototherapy (n = 10); (2) the…

Transcranial, Red/Near-Infrared Light-Emitting Diode Therapy to improve cognition in chronic traumatic brain injury

Brain Injury/TBI, Near Infrared (NIR)/Red Light Therapy

Study reviews the general topic of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and research utilizing transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) to improve cognition in chronic TBI using red/near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to deliver light to the head. Transcranial Photobiomodulation improves mitochondrial function increasing oxygen consumption, production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and improving cellular energy stores. Nitric oxide is…

Integrative Therapeutic Options for Treating Stage Four Breast Cancer

Cancer, Near Infrared (NIR)/Red Light Therapy, Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy

Traditional Western medicine treats breast cancer – the most commonly occurring cancer in women with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Few doctors’ council their patients to use complementary modalities and some forbid their use. However, complementary therapies in the form of agents or activities that minimize exposure to toxins, detoxify the body,…