Near-Infrared Transcranial Radiation for Major Depressive Disorder: Proof of Concept Study

Abstract

Transcranial near-infrared radiation (NIR) is an innovative treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), but clinical evidence for its efficacy is limited. Our objective was to investigate the tolerability and efficacy of NIR in patients with MDD. We conducted a proof of concept, prospective, double-blind, randomized study of 6 sessions of NIR versus sham treatment for patients with MDD, using a crossover design. Four patients with MDD with mean age 47 ± 14 (SD) years (1 woman and 3 men) were exposed to irradiance of 700 mW/cm2 and a fluence of 84 J/cm2 for a total NIR energy of 2.40 kJ delivered per session for 6 sessions. Baseline mean HAM-D17 scores decreased from 19.8 ± 4.4 (SD) to 13 ± 5.35 (SD) after treatment (t = 7.905; df = 3; P = 0.004). Patients tolerated the treatment well without any serious adverse events. These findings confirm and extend the preliminary data on NIR as a novel intervention for patients with MDD, but further clinical trials are needed to better understand the efficacy of this new treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01538199.

Near-infrared photobiomodulation combined with coenzyme Q10 for depression in a mouse model of restraint stress: reduction in oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis

“…In agreement with other reports (Bettio, et al, 2014; Freitas et al, 2014), five days of sub-chronic restraint stress in our study resulted in an increase in the immobility time as compared to the control animals. Recently, transcranial NIR PBM therapy has been suggested as a non-invasive neurostimulation modality in the central nervous system and is emerging as a novel promising treatment to defeat depression (Caldieraro et al, 2018; Cassano et al, 2015; Cassano et al, 2016; Salehpour and Rasta, 2017). Previous reports from our laboratory and others have shown that repeated delivery of NIR laser therapy produces an antidepressant-like effect in the FST (Mohammed, 2016; Salehpour et al, 2016; Wu et al, 2012; Xu, et al, 2017) and TST (Xu, et al, 2017).…”

Photobiomodulation improves the frontal cognitive function of older adults

“…25,26,[44][45][46] Although PBM has been around since the 1960s 47,48 (originally called "low-level laser therapy" 49 ), it has only recently been applied in different populations as a neuropsychological intervention for enhancing brain function. 25,26,[44][45][46] Although PBM has been around since the 1960s 47,48 (originally called "low-level laser therapy" 49 ), it has only recently been applied in different populations as a neuropsychological intervention for enhancing brain function.…”

“…25,26,[44][45][46] Although PBM has been around since the 1960s 47,48 (originally called "low-level laser therapy" 49 ), it has only recently been applied in different populations as a neuropsychological intervention for enhancing brain function. 45 26 In addition, the remission of symptoms of patients with major depression and anxiety was observed following PBM.…”

Photobiomodulation and the brain: a new paradigm

“…It was found that, after two weeks, the mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score for the group had decreased by about 10 points (23.9 +/−8.8 SD to 13.2) and 60% had achieved remission, although by the four week mark symptoms had begun to reappear [100]. Additionally, Cassano et al [101] studied the effects of multiple PBM treatments administered over three weeks, and compared these results to those of three weeks of sham treatment, with a double-blind status being maintained for the duration of the seven week period (a washout week was designated between the two three week treatment periods). The light parameters utilized were 808nm wavelength, 700 mW/cm 2 irradiance, and 84 J/cm 2 fluence (see figure 7).…”