Photobiomodulation: Shedding light on a potentially innovative therapy in the field of neurological dysfunction

Photobiomodulation is a non-invasive therapeutic technique that uses certain wavelengths of light to restore biological functions. Depending on the wavelength used, specific photoreceptors will be activated. Cytochrome C oxidase and calcium channels sensitive to light and heat are the best-known targets. The induced increase in ATP, calcium, and nitric oxide production then triggers a series of signaling cascades leading to regeneration. For example, photobiomodulation stimulates cell proliferation and survival, activates vasodilation, and inhibits inflammation. These remarkable properties have long been used for healing purposes (treating skin ulcerations, burns, and scars). This use has now been extended to various medical fields, especially in oncology to prevent side effects of treatments, but also in dentistry, rheumatology, and even in veterinary medicine. The purpose of this review is to explain the different ways in which photobiomodulation works and to evaluate its potential as a complementary therapy for neurological dysfunctions. The scientific literature reporting the effects of photobiomodulation protocols in cognitive rehabilitation, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases are synthetized and discussed.