How Red Light Therapy Supports the Blood-Brain Barrier?

Create on September 14, 2024

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) effectively prevents the brain from being infected with toxins or pathogens while allowing important nutrients such as amino acids to reach it. Maintaining the integrity of the BBB is vital for brain health, as its impairment can lead to numerous neurological issues, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative conditions. However, the protective nature of the BBB poses challenges by also blocking the passage of therapeutic drugs into the brain, creating significant barriers to treating mental and neurological disorders. In order to keep neurons activated, scientists are looking for innovative nutrient delivery methods that can pass through the BBB. Over the years, red light photo-biomodulation has emerged as a highly promising non-invasive treatment that aids and enhances the function of the BBB.

Why is Red Light Therapy Important for the Blood-Brain Barrier?

Red light therapy (RLT) is a type of physical therapy based on photobiomodulation that uses artificial or natural light (red/near-infrared) sources to prevent and treat diseases by using light exposure of different durations and intensities. Susceptible to aging, inflammation, and injury, among other conditions, the BBB has shown improved function with phototherapy, as evidenced by ongoing research and clinical studies.

Red light therapy operates within the 620 to 850-nanometer wavelength spectrum, enabling it to transmit light signals directly to the brain. Cellular metabolism is the major way red light treatment benefits the BBB. These specific wavelengths can enhance mitochondrial function—the cell's powerhouses—thus boosting the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This leads to increased ATP production, which helps repair and regenerate cells that are important for the integrity of the BBB. Given that UV light is known to destroy cells, red light therapy itself is not dangerous and has numerous positive effects on physiological functions.

What are the pros of red light therapy for the blood-brain barrier?

Red light therapy provides numerous advantages that promote the health and functionality of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

• Amplify Cell Proliferation: One of the primary impacts of red light therapy is its ability to activate cell proliferation and repair processes. A compromised BBB becomes more permeable and vulnerable to toxins. Red light therapy prompts such cells’ healing and rejuvenation, restoring the BBB integrity. Research suggests that red light therapy facilitates the synthesis of vital proteins and enzymes essential for cell repair and maintenance.
• Decreased Inflammation: Inflammation is an essential contributor to blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and is implicated in several neurological diseases. Inflammatory events, like infections or injuries, increase the BBB's permeability, which can permit the entry of harmful substances into brain tissue. RLT therapy has been shown to reduce brain inflammation by regulating inflammatory cell activities and cytokine release. The attenuation of this process could have protective effects on BBB integrity and possibly decrease the rate of neurodegeneration in people affected by this condition.
• Accelerate Cerebral Blood Flow: The speed of blood flow to the cerebral blood vessels is an important indicator of the health of the brain. Abnormal blood flow in the brain's vessels can lead to BBB dysfunction and aggravate the onset of neurological diseases. Better blood flow may help red light therapy protect against cognitive decline.

Regular application of red light therapy might not only bolster the BBB but also enhance mental acuity, boost morale, and provide a buffer against age-related cognitive decline.

How Red Light Therapy Targets BBB - Neurological Diseases?

Red light therapy application might be an addition to current treatments for a range of conditions, from Alzheimer's disease to multiple sclerosis, by offering patients the possibility of a non-invasive and safe option for managing their condition.

• Transcranial Application: When RLT is administered on the scalp, it penetrates the skull, potentially increasing BBB permeability and aiding the delivery of therapeutic agents to improve brain functions[3].
• Intranasal Administration: RLT given through the nasal cavity can indirectly affect the status of the BBB by interacting with the olfactory nerves and being transported to deeper structures of the brain, where it changes its permeability.
• Local Treatment: Applying RLT to a precise brain area could influence the BBB's integrity, thereby enhancing local treatment effectiveness and recuperation.
• Combination Therapies: RLT used in combination might further enhance delivery across the BBB, improving overall therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion

Red light therapy represents an innovative and hopeful strategy for bolstering the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and enhancing overall cerebral well-being. Through its ability to enhance cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and improve cerebral blood flow, RLT addresses key factors that contribute to the integrity and functionality of the BBB. This is a non-invasive type of treatment with considerable potential in preventing neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, by fortifying the innate defense mechanisms of the brain and enhancing its repair processes.

References

1. Glass G. E. (2021). Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy. Aesthetic surgery journal, 41(6), 723–738. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab025
2. Zhou, T., Ohulchanskyy, T. Y., & Qu, J. (2021). Effect of NIR light on the permeability of the blood-brain barriers in in vitro models. Biomedical optics express, 12(12), 7544–7555. https://doi.org/10.1364/BOE.438445
3. Nizamutdinov, D., Ezeudu, C., Wu, E., Huang, J. H., & Yi, S. S. (2022). Transcranial near-infrared light in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 965788. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.965788
4. Salehpour, F., Gholipour-Khalili, S., Farajdokht, F., Kamari, F., Walski, T., Hamblin, M. R., DiDuro, J. O., & Cassano, P. (2020). Therapeutic potential of intranasal photobiomodulation therapy for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: a narrative review. Reviews in the neurosciences, 31(3), 269–286. https://doi.org/10.1515/revneuro-2019-0063