Longitudinal analysis reveals LLLT may prevent harmful metabolic changes in traumatic brain injury patients, indicating its potential neuroprotective effects.
Motivation: Transcranial low-level near-infrared (NIR) light therapy (LLLT) has been emerging as a therapeutic intervention for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Goal(s): The goal of this study was to assess the metabolic responses to the administration of LLLT in patients with moderate TBI. Approach: We used serial 2D MR spectroscopic imaging to measure metabolite concentrations in TBI participants who were either treated with LLLT or with sham. Results: Sham-treated participants showed a significant increase in myo-inositol/N-acetyl aspartate (mI/NAA) in the corpus callosum 3 months post injury indicating lasting inflammation and neuronal injury, while LLLT treated participants' mI/NAA ratios remained unchanged. Impact: This longitudinal study suggests a neuroprotective effect of acute administration of LLLT using MRS on individuals with moderate TBI.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ratai et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: