Photobiomodulation in experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease: state-of-the-art and translational perspectives

Zhihai Huang, Michael R. Hamblin, Quanguang Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a significant public health problem, affecting millions of people across the world. Despite decades of research into therapeutic strategies for AD, effective prevention or treatment for this devastating disorder remains elusive. In this review, we discuss the potential of photobiomodulation (PBM) for preventing and alleviating AD-associated pathologies, with a focus on the biological mechanisms underlying this therapy. Future research directions and guidance for clinical practice for this non-invasive and non-pharmacological therapy are also highlighted. The available evidence indicates that different treatment paradigms, including transcranial and systemic PBM, along with the recently proposed remote PBM, all could be promising for AD. PBM exerts diverse biological effects, such as enhancing mitochondrial function, mitigating the neuroinflammation caused by activated glial cells, increasing cerebral perfusion, improving glymphatic drainage, regulating the gut microbiome, boosting myokine production, and modulating the immune system. We suggest that PBM may serve as a powerful therapeutic intervention for AD.

Original languageEnglish
Article number114
JournalAlzheimer's Research and Therapy
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
  • Experimental models
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Photobiomodulation (PBM)
  • Therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Neurology (clinical)
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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