Unleashing light's healing power: an overview of photobiomodulation for Alzheimer's treatment

Figures & data

Figure 1. Photobiomodulation approach in the pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease.

The major pathophysiological mechanisms of AD involving the deposition of beta amyloid plaques and formation of neurofibrillary tangles, along with the role of photobiomodulatory therapy, are explained in the following figure.

Table 1. Photobiomodulation approach in the pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease.

S. No.	Aspect	Potential effects of PBM in AD	Ref.
1.	Inflammation reduction	PBM may reduce brain inflammation, a contributing factor in AD	[102]
2.	Cellular energy enhancement	PBM might enhance cellular metabolism and brain cell function	[103]
3.	Neuronal protection	PBM may have neuroprotective effects, supporting neuron survival	[104]
4.	Increased blood flow and oxygenation	PBM has been shown to improve blood flow and oxygenation in the brain	[105]
5.	Reduction of oxidative stress	PBM may help reduce oxidative stress associated with neurodegeneration	[104]

Table 2. Various clinical applications of photobiomodulation.

S. no.	Clinical application	Description	Ref.
1.	Neurological disorders	Some studies suggest potential benefits in treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by promoting neuroplasticity and reducing oxidative stress	[106]
2.	Wound healing	PBM can accelerate the healing process of various wounds, including surgical wounds, diabetic ulcers and burns. It promotes cell proliferation, angiogenesis and collagen synthesis	[107]
3.	Pain management	It is used to alleviate acute and chronic pain conditions, such as musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, neuropathy, and fibromyalgia. PBM helps reduce inflammation and enhances the release of endorphins	[108]
4.	Oral health	PBM is employed in dentistry to accelerate post-operative healing, manage oral ulcers and treat temporomandibular joint disorders	[109]
5.	Dermatology	In dermatology, PBM is used to treat conditions like psoriasis, acne and scars by stimulating cellular repair and modulating inflammation	[110]
6.	Ophthalmology	It has shown promise in treating certain eye conditions, like age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa	[111]
7.	Cognitive enhancement	Research is ongoing regarding the potential of PBM for improving cognitive function and mental health conditions	[112]
8.	Veterinary medicine	It is used in animals to promote wound healing, manage pain and treat various conditions, similar to its human applications	[113]

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