Can transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) improve cognition, mood, and biomarker levels in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
Transcranial PBM Helmet, a randomized trial in 93 older adults (J Photochem Photobiol B 2024, PMID 39423445) — the t-PBM group showed significantly improved cognition (MoCA scores) compared to placebo (p=0.0301), with delta values of 3.20 for t-PBM and 1.97 for placebo. The abstract does not specify other limitations.
Source: J Photochem Photobiol B 2024, PMID 39423445 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: high
J Photochem Photobiol B · 2024 · PMID 39423445 · DOI 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041
Near-infrared light therapy to the brain improved cognitive function and increased a neuroplasticity biomarker in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
The question
Can transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) improve cognition, mood, and biomarker levels in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
What they tested
Transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) will improve cognition scores, depression, anxiety, resilience scores, and neuroplasticity biomarkers, while not altering neurodegeneration biomarkers, in individuals with MCI compared to a placebo.
How they did it
A total of 93 older adults with MCI were randomized to either a t-PBM (n=47) or placebo (n=46) group. Clinical assessments and serum biomarker measurements (BDNF, NSE, S100B) were conducted at baseline, 60 days post-treatment, and a 150-day follow-up. Intervention effects were analyzed using repeated measures two-way ANOVA, Tukey post hoc test, Fischer's exact test, and Generalized Estimating Equations.
What they found
76 individuals completed the study (t-PBM: 40, placebo: 36). The t-PBM group showed significantly improved cognition (MoCA scores) compared to placebo (p=0.0301), with delta values of 3.20 for t-PBM and 1.97 for placebo. This cognitive improvement persisted until the three-month follow-up and was accompanied by increased BDNF levels in the t-PBM group (p=0.0046), with delta values of 821.94 for t-PBM and 359.41 for placebo. t-PBM did not alter depression, anxiety, resilience scores, or the levels of NSE and S100B.
| MoCA (t-PBM) | 3.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| MoCA (Placebo) | 1.97 | |
| BDNF (t-PBM) | 821.94 | |
| BDNF (Placebo) | 359.41 |
Delta values for MoCA scores and BDNF levels in t-PBM and placebo groups.
What it means
Transcranial photobiomodulation increases cognitive function and BDNF levels in adults with MCI. It may serve as an adjunctive treatment to help prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
Limitations
The study had a dropout rate, with 76 out of 93 participants completing the study. The abstract does not specify other limitations.
The paper at a glance
| Magellan’s evidence label | near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF (our label for this citation — see PubMed for the paper’s own title and authors) |
|---|---|
| Journal | J Photochem Photobiol B |
| Year | 2024 |
| PMID | 39423445 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041 ↗ |
| Topic | Brain, cognition & mood |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
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Transcranial PBM Helmet
Targets age-related cognitive decline. Research relevant to this mechanism is indexed on PubMed and linked below; it describes the mechanism rather than this specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Can transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) improve cognition, mood, and biomarker levels in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)? [Plain-English summary of J Photochem Photobiol B 2024, PMID 39423445, DOI 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html@misc{magellan_s159,
title = {Can transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) improve cognition, mood, and biomarker levels in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 39423445; DOI 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041; J Photochem Photobiol B 2024. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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