Evidence mapPaperPMID 39744683Full record

ReviewTheranostics2025

Photobiomodulation: shining a light on depression.

Lian Wang, Liwei Mao, Zhihai Huang, Jeffrey A Switzer, David C Hess, Quanguang Zhang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Theranostics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Lian WangDepartment of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Liwei MaoDepartment of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Zhihai HuangDepartment of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Jeffrey A SwitzerDepartment of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
David C HessDepartment of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Quanguang ZhangDepartment of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.

Funding

Role of Brain Aromatase in Alzheimer's Dementia: Sex differences and the Preventive Therapy using Pulsed PhotobiomodulationR01AG083947 · AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY · 2025 to 2025
$755k
Silent brain ischemia accelerates Alzheimer's dementia: pathogenesis and laser treatmentR01AG082207 · LOUISIANA STATE UNIV HSC SHREVEPORT · 2025 to 2025
$715k
Using Photobiomodulation to Alleviate Brain Hypoperfusion in Alzheimer's DiseaseR01AG081874 · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2025 to 2025
$582k
NIA NIH HHS R01 AG081874NIA NIH HHS R01 AG082207NIA NIH HHS R01 AG083947NINDS NIH HHS RF1 NS135548
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Depression is a prevalent public health issue, characterized by persistent low mood, impaired concentration, and diminished motivation. Photobiomodulation (PBM), which involves the application of red or near-infrared light, modulates physiological processes by enhancing cerebral blood flow, reducing inflammation, inhibiting apoptosis, and promoting neurogenesis. PBM can be administered transcranially or through systemic approaches, offering a potentially effective intervention for depression. This review discusses the characteristics of PBM, its underlying neurobiological mechanisms, and relevant physical parameters. Recent progress in both animal and clinical research underscores PBM's therapeutic potential for depression and emphasizes the need for further studies to establish a robust theoretical basis for standardized treatment protocols.

Indexed as

DepressionLow-Level Light TherapyAnimalsBrainCerebrovascular CirculationHumansInflammationNeurogenesisBrainDepressionLightMechanismPhotobiomodulation

Identifiers

PMID39744683
PMCPMC11671386

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.