Evolving Science
Resources on What Science is Being Conducted to Help Diagnosis or Improve Health after mTBI/Concussion.
WHAT IS PHOTOBIOMODULATION?
Mitochondria are the energy factories that exits within almost every cell and they are the key to Photobiomodulation. Mitochondria have a substance called cytochrome oxidase that can absorb red and near-infrared light and convert the energy into a form of biological energy called adenosine triphosphate (or "ATP").
WHAT IS BRAIN PHOTOBIOMODULATION?
Mechanisms of Brain Photobiomodulation
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There are several mechanisms associated with promoting physiological change through photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). The wavelengths primarily used with PBM is within the near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum with a sufficient power density. When hypoxic/impaired cells are irradiated with low-level NIR photons, there is increased mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production within their mitochondria.1, 2 Another change is the release of nitric oxide from the hypoxic/impaired cells. Neurons are cells that contain mitochondria and nitric oxide.
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In hypoxic neuronal cells, cytochrome-C oxidase (CCO), a membrane-bound protein that serves as the end-point electron acceptor in the cell respiration electron transport chain, becomes inhibited by non-covalent binding of nitric oxide. When exposed to NIR photons, the CCO releases nitric oxide, which then diffuses outs of the cell – increasing local blood flow and vasodilation.3, 4
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Following initial exposure to the NIR photons, there is a brief burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the neuron cell, and this activates a number of signaling pathways. The ROS leads to activation of redox-sensitive genes, and related transcription factors including NF-κβ.5, 6 The PBMT stimulates gene expression for cellular proliferation, migration, and the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors.7