The Effect of Near-infrared Light Therapy on Brain Function and Cognition in Young and Older Adults
Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Cognition, Neurovascular Coupling Mechanism and Cognitive Function, Neurovascular Control, Brain Aging, Brain Activity
In brief
The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to test whether transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique using near-infrared light, can improve brain blood flow regulation (neurovascular coupling) and cognitive function in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does tPBM enhance neurovascular coupling responses during memory and finger tapping tasks? * Are these improvements linked to better cognitive performance and lower levels of brain inflammation and oxidative stress? Researchers will compare an active tPBM treatment arm to a sham treatment arm to see if tPBM leads to measurable improvements in brain activity and cognitive function compared to no active stimulation. Participants will: * Receive either active tPBM or sham stimulation sessions for 4 weeks, every other day using a portable intervention device. * Complete questionnaires and an iPAD-based cognitive testing protocol * Complete memory and motor tasks while their brain activity is measured using non-invasive techniques: simultaneous functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial doppler (TCD) flowmetry. * Retinal vessel reactivity will be measured during flickering light stimulus using a special camera (dynamic vessel analysis, DVA). * Provide blood samples to test for biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and brain cell damage.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07209683
- Run by
- University of Oklahoma
- People needed
- 30
- Starts
- 2025-10-01
- Expected to finish
- 2026-12-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-02-06
Who can join
Age: 21 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Age: 21-85 years of age
- Adequate hearing and visual acuity to participate in the examinations
- Ability to read and write in English
- Competence to provide informed consent
You may not qualify if…
- Active CNS disease including multiple sclerosis, uncontrolled seizures, active brain cancer
- Cerebrovascular accident other than TIA within 60 days prior to Visit 0
- Major psychiatric disease, including major depression not currently controlled on medications, alcohol or drug abuse
- Participant currently uses commercial brain stimulation / neuromodulation device or an experimental device as part of a research study, e.g. tDCS, tACS, TBS, DBS, TMS, TPBM, etc.
- Participant currently takes dietary supplements with an expected cerebrovascular benefit, such as NAD- or NR-supplement, L-citrulline, urolithin
- Unstable medical condition, including uncontrolled diabetes, chronic heart issues, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Stage 2 hypertension uncontrolled by medication (>160/100 mmHg)
- Any other medical condition or medication which, in the opinion of investigator, would render the patient inappropriate or too unstable to complete the study protocol.
- Pregnancy or trying to become pregnant in the next 1 months (self-reported), breastfeeding
Where it is running
- University of Oklahoma Health Campus — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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