Near-Infrared Transcranial Radiation for Major Depressive Disorder: Proof of Concept Study (2015)
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This proof-of-concept, prospective, double-blind, randomized crossover study investigated whether transcranial near-infrared radiation (NIR) / photobiomodulation could help treat patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The therapy involved delivering NIR light to the forehead to assess tolerability and antidepressant effects.
Key findings:
- Reduction in depressive symptoms: Patients receiving active NIR treatment showed improvements in depression severity compared with sham treatment.
- Well tolerated: The therapy was generally safe and well tolerated, with no major adverse effects reported.
- Potential brain effects: Researchers suggested NIR may help by improving mitochondrial function, cerebral blood flow, and cellular energy metabolism (ATP production) in brain tissue.
- Early-stage evidence: Since this was a small proof-of-concept study, results were considered preliminary.
Conclusion:
The study suggested that transcranial near-infrared photobiomodulation may be a promising non-invasive adjunct therapy for major depressive disorder, but larger controlled clinical trials were needed to confirm effectiveness and optimize treatment protocols.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26356811/