Photobiomodulation research
Brain Network Connectivity: Cerebellar Research
Looking at communication between brain regions
Keleher and colleagues studied 30 adults with a history of repetitive head acceleration events. Participants used a PBM headset with an intranasal applicator for 20 minutes every other day for 8–10 weeks.
What the scans showed
Researchers compared resting-state fMRI before and after the intervention, examining 11 cerebellar regions associated with the default mode, salience, and frontoparietal networks. They observed reduced connectivity between networks and increased connectivity within networks, especially the salience and frontoparietal networks.
Why it matters
The authors interpreted this pattern as potentially greater cerebellar network efficiency. This is relevant to the brain’s coordination of motor and cognitive functions. A before-and-after connectivity study does not establish protection against future head impacts.
References
Keleher F. and colleagues (2025). Improvements in Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Cerebellum after Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Adults with a History of Repetitive Head Acceleration Events. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery, 43(10), 475–489. DOI: 10.1177/25785478251376477.