Effect of Transcranial Near-Infrared Light 1068 nm Upon Memory Performance in Aging Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study
Publication: Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery
Volume 39, Issue Number 10
Abstract
Background: We present a pilot study of near-infrared (NIR) 1068 nm transcranial photobiomodulation therapy (PBM-T). Impact upon motor function, memory, and processing speed in healthy individuals, older than 45 years of age, was evaluated.
Methods: PBM-T was performed at home using a transcranial phototherapy device, a helmet that comprised 14 air cooled light emitting diode panel arrays, with a peak wavelength of 1068 nm, full width at half maximum bandwidth of 60 nm and total average optical output power of 3.8 W. The device was used for 6 min twice daily on age-matched middle-aged subjects with normal intellectual function. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved computerized assessment tool Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) was adopted to quantify a series of cognitive and motor activities in the participating groups.
Results: A significant improvement in motor function, memory performance, and processing speed was observed in healthy individuals with PBM-T compared to the placebo group. No adverse effects were reported.
Conclusions: PBM-T may be a promising new approach to improve memory in healthy middle-aged individuals.
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04568057.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery
Volume 39 • Issue Number 10 • October 2021
Pages: 654 - 660
PubMed: 34662523
Copyright
Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
History
Published online: 18 October 2021
Published in print: October 2021
Accepted: 7 June 2021
Received: 13 October 2020
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Authors
Authors' Contributions
G.D. is responsible for the supervision, study design, and article composition of the study. Both P.L.C. and A.E. are equally responsible for study design, article composition, and editing of the study.
Author Disclosure Statement
G.D. is a majority shareholder in Maculume Ltd. All other authors have no competing financial interests.
Funding Information
Maculume Ltd. provided the funding for the study.
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