Intranasal Photobiomodulation Therapy for Brain Conditions: A Review

Date: September 2021
Access Link: Medical Lasers, Vol 10, No. 3, 132-137

Summary

Intranasal Photobiomodulation Therapy (iN-PBMT) is an emerging non-invasive approach to treating neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. iN-PBMT delivers red (600-680 nm) and near-infrared (800-850 nm) light through the nostrils, leading to increased cerebral blood flow, oxygenation, neuroprotection, and anti-inflammatory effects. It achieves this by modulating nitric oxide (NO) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype.

Various delivery methods exist:

1. Nostril-Based Devices – Portable devices that irradiate the prefrontal cortex with limited deep-brain penetration.

2. Cribriform Plate Approach – Implants near the nasal submucosal space, improving light delivery to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex.

3. Frontal Sinus Placement – Targets deeper brain areas like the limbic system.

4. Sphenoid Sinus Placement – Optical fibers positioned via endoscopic surgery can reach the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. A study found that 808 nm light delivered through the sphenoid sinus reached 0.36% of its power in the substantia nigra (compared to 0.03% for 671 nm).

Despite its potential, further studies are needed to optimize treatment parameters and confirm efficacy in clinical settings.