Light Therapy Increases Brain Connectivity Following Injury – RSNA

Longer-term Evidence of Differences in Clinical Outcomes Still Needed

The precise mechanism of the light therapys effects on the brain is also still to be determined. Previous research points to the alteration of an enzyme in the cells mitochondria, Dr. Gupta said. This leads to more production of adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that stores and transfers energy in the cells. Light therapy has also been linked with blood vessel dilation and anti-inflammatory effects.

There is still a lot of work to be done to understand the exact physiological mechanism behind these effects, said study coauthor Suk-tak Chan, PhD, a biomedical engineer at MGH.

While connectivity increased for the light therapy-treated patients during the acute to subacute phases, there was no evidence of a difference in clinical outcomes between the treated and control participants. Additional studies with larger cohorts of patients and correlative imaging beyond three months may help determine the therapeutic role of light in traumatic brain injury.

The researchers expect the role of light therapy to expand as more study results come in. The 810-nanometer-wavelength light used in the study is already employed in various therapeutic applications. Its safe, easy to administer and does not require surgery or medications. The helmets portability means it can be delivered in settings outside of the hospital. It may have applications in treating many other neurological conditions, according to Dr. Gupta.

There are lots of disorders of connectivity, mostly in psychiatry, where this intervention may have a role, he said. PTSD, depression, autism: these are all promising areas for light therapy.

Access the Radiology study, Effects of Low-Level Light Therapy on Resting-State Connectivity Following Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: Secondary Analyses of a Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Study.

Read previous RSNA News stories about neuroimaging:

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Light Therapy Increases Brain Connectivity Following Injury - RSNA