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A systematic review of the effects of transcranial photobiomodulation on brain activity in humans

  • Marjorie Dole EMAIL logo , Vincent Auboiroux , Lilia Langar and John Mitrofanis ORCID logo
Published/Copyright: March 17, 2023
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Abstract

In recent years, transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) has been developing as a promising method to protect and repair brain tissues against damages. The aim of our systematic review is to examine the results available in the literature concerning the efficacy of tPBM in changing brain activity in humans, either in healthy individuals, or in patients with neurological diseases. Four databases were screened for references containing terms encompassing photobiomodulation, brain activity, brain imaging, and human. We also analysed the quality of the included studies using validated tools. Results in healthy subjects showed that even after a single session, tPBM can be effective in influencing brain activity. In particular, the different transcranial approaches – using a focal stimulation or helmet for global brain stimulation – seemed to act at both the vascular level by increasing regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and at the neural level by changing the activity of the neurons. In addition, studies also showed that even a focal stimulation was sufficient to induce a global change in functional connectivity across brain networks. Results in patients with neurological disease were sparser; nevertheless, they indicated that tPBM could improve rCBF and functional connectivity in several regions. Our systematic review also highlighted the heterogeneity in the methods and results generated, together with the need for more randomised controlled trials in patients with neurological diseases. In summary, tPBM could be a promising method to act on brain function, but more consistency is needed in order appreciate fully the underlying mechanisms and the precise outcomes.


Corresponding author: Marjorie Dole, Université Grenoble Alpes, FDD Clinatec, 38000, Fonds de Dotation Clinatec 17 avenue des Martyrs 38054 Grenoble Cedex, France, E-mail:

Funding source: Covea

Award Identifier / Grant number: Covea Neurotec

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: This work was supported by a funding from Covea (project: Covea-Neurotec, attributed to Fond de Dotation Clinatec).

  3. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

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Received: 2023-01-11
Accepted: 2023-02-26
Published Online: 2023-03-17
Published in Print: 2023-08-28

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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