Photobiomodulation as a regulator of neuroinflammation: mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential in brain disorders

Published October 16, 2026. The review describes encouraging early PBM findings in Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, but clinical research is still early and primary outcomes were mainly negative in the Parkinson’s disease and major-depression studies it discussed. It supports further research, not a conclusion that PBM treats these disorders.

Blivet G, Bertrand C, Brauge D, Delrieu J, Touchon J.
Frontiers in Neurology · Publication date: 2026-10-16
Added to site: 2026-10-23
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2026.1902491

Published October 16, 2026. Added to Neurofeedback.com October 23, 2026 after the final formatted article resolved an earlier publication-status hold.

Modalities

Photobiomodulation, Red and near-infrared light, Transcranial light therapy

Clinical focus

Neuroinflammation, Brain disorders, Mechanisms and translation

Population

Preclinical models and heterogeneous clinical populations with neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders

Sample

No pooled sample or study-count denominator was reported; this was a narrative review rather than a systematic review or meta-analysis

Intervention / method

The authors synthesized proposed PBM effects on mitochondrial activity, oxidative signaling, glial activation, inflammatory pathways and tissue homeostasis, then discussed preclinical and clinical findings across several brain disorders

Comparator

Not applicable as a narrative review; the cited clinical studies used heterogeneous sham, usual-care and other comparison conditions

Clinician summary

The authors present a multi-pathway rationale for PBM modulation of neuroinflammation, with more consistent support in preclinical models than in human trials. Clinical signals varied by condition, protocol and outcome, and the review calls for standardized dosimetry, biomarkers and larger controlled trials before efficacy can be established.

How to interpret the findings

This is a narrative mini review without a reproducible systematic search, risk-of-bias assessment or pooled effect estimate. The evidence spans diverse models, disorders, wavelengths, doses and devices. Mechanistic plausibility and preclinical consistency cannot establish clinical benefit, and negative primary outcomes in Parkinson’s disease and major depression remain material.

Equipment and disclosures

The review discusses multiple PBM approaches and does not establish a superior commercial device or protocol. No equipment is attributed to BrainMaster.

REGEnLIFE SAS paid the article-processing charge. Guillaume Blivet and Cédric Bertrand are REGEnLIFE employees, and Jacques Touchon is a paid consultant to the company. The authors reported generative-AI assistance for English-language proofreading, readability and wording. No correction, retraction or expression-of-concern relation appeared in the retained Crossref record; this is a bounded check. AI-assisted source review.

Related evidence

Compare findings from the same clinical area, including mixed results.

• Photobiomodulation and Migraine: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. · Positive with limitations