Use of 31 P magnetisation transfer magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure ATP changes after 670 nm transcranial photobiomodulation in older adults.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Uncontrolled pre-post interventional cohort study (case series design).
PubMed 37803929 · doi:10.1111/acel.14005
What was done
Researchers used Phosphorus-31 magnetization transfer magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MT-MRS) to measure changes in cerebral mitochondrial ATP production in a cohort of healthy older adults before and after transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) with 670 nm light.
What was found
The authors report a statistically significant increase in the rate of brain ATP synthase flux following 670 nm PBM in older adults. The abstract reports no numerical values, baseline rates, effect sizes, or exact p-values.
Why it matters
This provides initial in vivo human proof-of-mechanism that red-light photobiomodulation can increase cerebral mitochondrial energy production in the aging brain.
Limits
The abstract does not disclose the sample size (n), light dosing parameters, or whether a sham/control group was utilized. Cognitive and functional outcomes were not assessed.
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