---
title: "Dose response of transcranial near infrared light stimulation on…"
description: "High-dose near-infrared light stimulation improved brain connectivity and processing speed in older adults in a small study."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37776079.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37776079.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37776079.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d37776079"
journal: "J Biophotonics"
year: 2023
pmid: "37776079"
doi: "10.1002/jbio.202300215"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Dose response of transcranial near infrared light stimulation on cognition in older adults

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | J Biophotonics |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | [37776079](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37776079/) |
| DOI | [10.1002/jbio.202300215](https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.202300215) |
| Study key | d37776079 |

## Takeaway

High-dose near-infrared light stimulation improved brain connectivity and processing speed in older adults in a small study.

## The question

What are the effects of different doses of transcranial near-infrared light stimulation (photobiomodulation) on cognition and resting-state brain functional connectivity in older adults?

## Hypothesis

The study implicitly hypothesizes that photobiomodulation will affect brain activity and cognition in humans, with a dose-response relationship.

## Methods

Twenty-five cognitively normal adults aged 55-70 years were randomized to a single session of either a sham group, a "low-dose" group (26 J/cm2 transcranial, 9 J/cm2 intranasal), or a "high-dose" group (52 J/cm2 transcranial, 18 J/cm2 intranasal) of near-infrared light stimulation. The effects on cognition and resting-state brain functional connectivity were then compared.

## Results

The "high-dose" group showed a significant increase in resting-state functional connectivity of the left superior frontal gyrus with the left planum temporale (p = 0.0016) and with the left inferior frontal gyrus, pars triangularis (p = 0.0235), compared to the "sham" group. This group also demonstrated a significant improvement in visual search and processing speed (p = 0.012). These effects were observed only in the "high-dose" group.

## Conclusion

A single session of high-dose transcranial near-infrared light stimulation can significantly increase resting-state functional connectivity in specific brain regions and improve visual search and processing speed in cognitively normal older adults.

## Limitations

The study involved a small sample size of 25 participants and requires replication in an adequately powered randomized sham-controlled study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> significant improvement in visual search and processing speed in the high-dose photobiomodulation group

## Transcranial Near-Infrared Light Fluence Doses

| Measure | Fluence (J/cm2) |
| --- | --- |
| Low-Dose | 26 |
| High-Dose | 52 |

*Transcranial fluence doses administered to the low-dose and high-dose groups.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Transcranial PBM Helmet | — | — |

## Reference

1. **Dose response of transcranial near infrared light stimulation on cognition in older adults**
   J Biophotonics 2023 · [PMID 37776079](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37776079/) · [DOI 10.1002/jbio.202300215](https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.202300215)

   > significant improvement in visual search and processing speed in the high-dose photobiomodulation group

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## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).