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The role of low-level laser therapy in Alzheimer's disease: a review of the potential benefits of vitamin D enhancement.

Lasers in medical science
March 25, 2025
Amin Firoozi et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the potential of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to improve cognitive function and reduce oxidative stress and amyloid-beta deposition in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a focus on its interplay with vitamin D.

Results Summary

The study found that LLLT enhances neuronal function, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, and may improve cognitive performance in preclinical and clinical settings. However, further trials are needed to optimize treatment protocols and establish standardized guidelines.

Population

The study primarily discusses Alzheimer's disease patients, though specific demographic details are not provided.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (17)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
vitamin D
neutral
neuroprotection
-
-
has a role in neuroprotection
#1
vitamin D
decrease
oxidative stress
-
-
has antioxidant properties
#2
vitamin D
decrease
inflammation
-
-
has anti-inflammatory properties
#3
vitamin D
decrease
neuronal loss
-
-
has neuroprotective properties
#4
vitamin D
increase
blood-brain barrier integrity
-
-
maintains blood-brain barrier integrity
#5
vitamin D
increase
amyloid-beta (Aβ) clearance
-
-
regulates amyloid-beta (Aβ) clearance
#6
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
increase
neuronal function
-
-
has been shown to enhance neuronal function
#7
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
decrease
oxidative stress
-
-
has been shown to reduce oxidative stress
#8
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
decrease
inflammation
-
-
has been shown to reduce inflammation
#9
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
decrease
Aβ deposition
-
-
has been shown to reduce Aβ deposition
#10
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
increase
vitamin D levels
-
-
potentially increase vitamin D levels
#11
LLLT
increase
mitochondrial function
-
-
can stimulate mitochondrial function
#12
LLLT
increase
synaptic plasticity
-
-
enhance synaptic plasticity
#13
LLLT
increase
cognitive performance
preclinical and clinical studies
-
improve cognitive performance
#14
LLLT
neutral
immune responses
-
-
modulate immune responses
#15
LLLT
increase
neurogenesis
-
-
promote neurogenesis
#16
LLLT
increase
vitamin D synthesis
-
-
facilitate vitamin D synthesis
#17
Abstract

As the global population ages, neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), have become a major public health concern. AD is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, accounting for 60-80% of cases, and is characterized by progressive cognitive and memory decline due to neuronal loss. Current pharmacological treatments primarily offer symptomatic relief rather than a cure. Recent research has highlighted the role of vitamin D in neuroprotection, owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, as well as its ability to maintain blood-brain barrier integrity and regulate amyloid-beta (Aβ) clearance. Another emerging noninvasive therapeutic approach is Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), a form of photobiomodulation (PBM) that has been shown to enhance neuronal function, reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and Aβ deposition, and potentially increase vitamin D levels. This review examines the interplay between LLLT, vitamin D, and oxidative stress in AD pathophysiology. Findings suggest that LLLT can stimulate mitochondrial function, enhance synaptic plasticity, and improve cognitive performance in preclinical and clinical studies. Furthermore, LLLT has been reported to modulate immune responses, promote neurogenesis, and facilitate vitamin D synthesis by activating cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), which plays a crucial role in mitochondrial energy production. However, while promising, further in vivo and clinical trials are required to optimize treatment protocols and establish standardized guidelines for LLLT application, particularly in enhancing vitamin D levels, in AD patients. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Low-Level Light TherapyAlzheimer DiseaseHumansVitamin DOxidative StressAnimalsMitochondriaAntioxidants
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality60/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.10
Normalized Score0.60
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