Protocol Report on the Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer’s Disease (TRAP-AD) Study

Background: Alzheimer’s disease’s (AD) prevalence is projected to increase as the population ages and current treatments are minimally effective. Transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) with near-infrared (NIR) light penetrates into cerebral cortex, stimulates mitochondrial respiratory chain, increases blood flow. Preliminary data suggests t-PBM may be efficacious in improving cognition people early AD amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aMCI participants, we will test efficacy, safety, impact on of 24 sessions delivered over 8 weeks. Brain mechanisms explored by testing whether baseline tau burden (measured 18F-MK6240), or changes function weeks (assessed 31P-MRSI), moderates observed functions after therapy. We also use fMRI Blood-Oxygenation-Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal a single treatment demonstrate t-PBM-dependent prefrontal cortex Conclusion: This t-PBM, low-cost, accessible, user-friendly intervention, has potential improve an population.