--- title: "Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF" description: "Near-infrared light therapy to the brain improved cognitive function and increased a neuroplasticity biomarker in older adults with mild cognitive…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html" type: "study" study_key: "s159" journal: "J Photochem Photobiol B" year: 2024 pmid: "39423445" doi: "10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041" 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" --- # Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s159 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Photochem Photobiol B | | Year | 2024 | | PMID | [39423445](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39423445/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041) | | Study key | s159 | ## Takeaway 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)? ## Hypothesis 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. ## Methods 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. ## Results 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. ## Conclusion 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. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Transcranial photobiomodulation increases cognition and serum BDNF levels in adults over 50 ## Change in MoCA Scores and BDNF Levels | Measure | Delta Value | | --- | --- | | 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.* ## 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. **Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF** J Photochem Photobiol B 2024 · [PMID 39423445](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39423445/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041) > Transcranial photobiomodulation increases cognition and serum BDNF levels in adults over 50 ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html","name":"Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF","description":"Near-infrared light therapy to the brain improved cognitive function and increased a neuroplasticity biomarker in older adults with mild cognitive…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s159.html#study","name":"Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF","headline":"Evidence: near-infrared light to cortex, BDNF","datePublished":"2024","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Photochem Photobiol B"},"identifier":"PMID:39423445","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39423445/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041","abstract":"Near-infrared light therapy to the brain improved cognitive function and increased a neuroplasticity biomarker in older adults with mild cognitive impairment."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Dose response of transcranial near infrared light stimulation on cognition in older adults](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37776079.md) - [Transcranial Near Infrared Light Stimulations Improve Cognition in Patients with Dementia](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d34221541.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## 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).