Application of non-invasive transcranial photobiomodulation in ischemic stroke: Mechanisms and current insights

TL;DR

This paper reviews how non-invasive light therapy, called transcranial photobiomodulation, may help treat ischemic stroke by improving brain function and recovery.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of tPBM mechanisms and applications in ischemic stroke, offering insights for optimizing treatment.

Findings

tPBM improves mitochondrial function and cerebral blood flow in stroke models.

tPBM reduces oxidative stress and neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke.

tPBM shows potential for recovery in acute, subacute, and chronic stroke phases.

Abstract

Ischemic stroke (IS), comprising 65.3% of the 11.9 million new stroke cases worldwide in 2021, is a leading cause of disability and mortality due to cerebral vascular occlusion and subsequent ischemia. The increasing prevalence, particularly in aging populations such as China, underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Conventional treatments, including thrombolysis and surgery, are constrained by narrow therapeutic windows and risks such as hemorrhage. Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a non-invasive technique utilizing red or near-infrared light (630–1300 nm), has emerged as a promising intervention for IS. This review synthesizes the pathological features of IS, including blood-brain barrier disruption, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, and elucidates the molecular mechanisms of tPBM, such as enhanced mitochondrial function, increased cerebral blood flow, and upregulation of neurotrophic factors. Preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrate tPBM’s potential to mitigate neuronal damage and promote recovery across acute, subacute, and chronic phases of IS. By evaluating current applications, this study aims to provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing treatment parameters, enhancing clinical outcomes, and guiding future rehabilitation strategies for patients with stroke.

Cardiovascular medicine; Health sciences; Medicine; Neurology

Figures