Red Light Therapy Enhances Memory and Brain Connectivity.

In 2025, Qin Yang and team conducted a randomized, single-blind, crossover trial with 55 healthy older adults to explore transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a form of red light therapy using a 1064-nm laser on the left forehead. Using fNIRS, they measured brain connectivity and assessed working memory via the 3-back task before and after active or sham tPBM sessions.

Active tPBM improved 3-back accuracy by ~10% and reduced reaction time, alongside increased global and local brain network efficiency and functional connectivity in frontoparietal areas. These changes correlated with better memory performance, especially in the left prefrontal cortex, suggesting tPBM optimizes brain networks for cognitive tasks.

Use red light therapy (tPBM) on the forehead to potentially boost memory and brain function in older adults.