Augmentation of cognitive brain functions with transcranial lasers

González-Lima, Francisco; Barrett, Douglas W.

doi:10.3389/fnsys.2014.00036

Cited by 79 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…TLT has been applied in humans for stroke, 40 traumatic brain injury, 41 neurodegenerative diseases, 42 depression, and even to augmentation of cognitive brain functions. [43][44] It has been observed that low power at the brain surface is enough to obtain interesting results without brain warming or damaging. We believe that this research could serve as a theoretical and experimental basis for many scientific, translational and clinical studies about transcranial photoneuromodulation to treat pain.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcranial low-level laser therapy (810 nm) temporarily inhibits peripheral nociception: photoneuromodulation of glutamate receptors, prostatic acid phophatase, and adenosine triphosphate

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy has been shown to attenuate both acute and chronic pain, but the mechanism of action is not well understood. In most cases, the light is applied to the painful area, but in the present study we applied light to the head. We found that transcranial laser therapy (TLT) applied to mouse head with specific parameters (810 nm laser, 300 mW∕cm 2 , 7.2 or 36 J∕cm 2 ) decreased the reaction to pain in the foot evoked either by pressure (von Frey filaments), cold, or inflammation (formalin injection) or in the tail (evoked by heat). The pain threshold increasing is maximum around 2 h after TLT, remains up to 6 h, and is finished 24 h after TLT. The mechanisms were investigated by quantification of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), immunofluorescence, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of brain tissues. TLT increased ATP and prostatic acid phosphatase (an endogenous analgesic) and reduced the amount of glutamate receptor (mediating a neurotransmitter responsible for conducting nociceptive information). There was no change in the concentration of tubulin, a constituent of the cytoskeleton, and the H&E staining revealed no tissue damage.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcranial low-level laser therapy (810 nm) temporarily inhibits peripheral nociception: photoneuromodulation of glutamate receptors, prostatic acid phophatase, and adenosine triphosphate

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[160] Since LLLT appears to improve blood flow [161] and the production of ATP [162], it could be useful not only as a treatment for cognitive decline but also as a preventive intervention in individuals with chronic brain hypoperfusion who are at risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer dementia. [163] Aside from its preventive potential, LLLT could also be applied as a treatment to elderly individuals with a diagnosis of AD although the outcome of this practice is less clear. This is an attractive tool with clinical promise because ATP and oxygenation could be increased in the brain using NIR light non-invasively in cases where deficient neuronal energy metabolism might develop from ischemia, trauma or chronic hypoperfusion.…”

Section: Low Level Laser Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebral Perfusion Enhancing Interventions: A New Strategy for the Prevention of Alzheimer Dementia

Torre

2016

Brain Pathology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are major risk factors in the development of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These cardio-cerebral disorders promote a variety of vascular risk factors which in the presence of advancing age are prone to markedly reduce cerebral perfusion and create a neuronal energy crisis. Long-term hypoperfusion of the brain evolves mainly from cardiac structural pathology and brain vascular insufficiency. Brain hypoperfusion in the elderly is strongly associated with the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and both conditions are presumed to be precursors of Alzheimer dementia. A therapeutic target to prevent or treat MCI and consequently reduce the incidence of AD aims to elevate cerebral perfusion using novel pharmacological agents. As reviewed here, the experimental pharmaca include the use of Rho kinase inhibitors, neurometabolic energy boosters, sirtuins and vascular growth factors. In addition, a compelling new technique in laser medicine called photobiomodulation is reviewed. Photobiomodulation is based on the use of low level laser therapy to stimulate mitochondrial energy production non-invasively in nerve cells. The use of novel pharmaca and photobiomodulation may become important tools in the treatment or prevention of cognitive decline that can lead to dementia.

show abstract

“…Up-regulating cytochrome oxidase through neuroenhancement has been shown to improve oxygenation and metabolic efficiency in the brain [29,30], which stimulate ATP production and facilitate neuronal energy production [31–33]. Consequently, techniques that increase cytochrome oxidase, such as LLLT and methylene blue, have been shown to improve cognition in mice and rats [33,34]as well as in humans [35–37]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although LLLT has FDA approval for peripheral pain management, it is growing in popularity as a brain research tool [35]. Specifically, LLLT with transcranial laser targeting the right prefrontal cortex has been shown to enhance sustained attention compared to sham LLLT [36], and LLLT with transcranial LEDs targeting the prefrontal cortex has been shown to decrease depression symptoms up to four weeks following treatment, although clinical studies to date have not used a sham control [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcranial Laser Stimulation as Neuroenhancement for Attention Bias Modification in Adults with Elevated Depression Symptoms

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Low-level light therapy (LLLT) with transcranial laser is a non-invasive form of neuroenhancement shown to regulate neuronal metabolism and cognition. Attention bias modification (ABM) is a cognitive intervention designed to improve depression by decreasing negative attentional bias, but to date its efficacy has been inconclusive. Adjunctive neuroenhancement to augment clinical effectiveness has shown promise, particularly for individuals who respond positively to the primary intervention. Objective/Hypothesis This randomized, sham-controlled proof-of-principle study is the first to test the hypothesis that augmentative LLLT will improve the effects of ABM among adults with elevated symptoms of depression. Methods Fifty-one adult participants with elevated symptoms of depression received ABM before and after laser stimulation and were randomized to one of three conditions: right forehead, left forehead, or sham. Participants repeated LLLT two days later and were assessed for depression symptoms one and two weeks later. Results A significant three-way interaction between LLLT condition, ABM response, and time indicated that right LLLT led to greater symptom improvement among participants whose attention was responsive to ABM (i.e., attention was directed away from negative stimuli). Minimal change in depression was observed in the left and sham LLLT. Conclusions The beneficial effects of ABM on depression symptoms may be enhanced when paired with adjunctive interventions such as right prefrontal LLLT; however, cognitive response to ABM likely moderates the impact of neuroenhancement. The results suggest that larger clinical trials examining the efficacy of using photoneuromodulation to augment cognitive training are warranted.

show abstract

Augmentation of cognitive brain functions with transcranial lasers

Cited by 79 publications

References 25 publications

Transcranial low-level laser therapy (810 nm) temporarily inhibits peripheral nociception: photoneuromodulation of glutamate receptors, prostatic acid phophatase, and adenosine triphosphate

Transcranial low-level laser therapy (810 nm) temporarily inhibits peripheral nociception: photoneuromodulation of glutamate receptors, prostatic acid phophatase, and adenosine triphosphate

Cerebral Perfusion Enhancing Interventions: A New Strategy for the Prevention of Alzheimer Dementia

Transcranial Laser Stimulation as Neuroenhancement for Attention Bias Modification in Adults with Elevated Depression Symptoms

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About