Transcranial Photobiomodulation For The Management Of Depression: Current Perspectives

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent condition associated with high rates of disability, as well as suicidal ideation and behavior. Current treatments for MDD have significant limitations in efficacy and side effect burden. FDA-approved devices for MDD are burdensome (due to repeated in-office procedures) and are most suitable for severely ill subjects. There is a critical need for device-based treatments in MDD that are efficacious, well-tolerated, and easy to use. In this paper, we review a novel neuromodulation strategy, transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) with near-infrared light (NIR). The scope of our review includes the known biological mechanisms of t-PBM, as well as its efficacy in animal models of depression and in patients with MDD. Theoretically, t-PBM penetrates into the cerebral cortex, stimulating the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and also significantly increases cerebral blood flow. Animal and human studies, using a variety of t-PBM settings and experimental models, suggest that t-PBM may have significant efficacy and good tolerability in MDD. In aggregate, these data support the need for large confirmatory studies for t-PBM as a novel, likely safe, and easy-to-administer antidepressant treatment.

Keywords:

• low-level light therapy
• photobiomodulation
• near infrared radiation
• major depressive disorder
• depression

Disclosure

Over the last five years, DVI has received consulting fees from Axsome, Alkermes, Centers of Psychiatric Excellence, MyndAnalytics (CNS Response), Jazz, Lundbeck, Precision Neuroscience, Otsuka, and Sundovion; and has received research support (through his academic institutions) from Alkermes, Astra Zeneca, Brainsway, LiteCure, Neosync, Roche, and Shire. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.