Chapter 45 Laser Acupuncture

In this chapter, we will address the potential use of near-infraredradiation (NIR) as a future treatment for major depressive disorder(MDD). The use of near-infrared light as a transcranial treatmentfor brain disorders is quite recent, and most of the research inthis arena has been conducted in the past 10 years. There arecurrently no psychiatric indications for NIR; at this point, its usefor CNS disorders is strictly experimental. Nonetheless, emergingpreliminary data on the efficacy of NIR in MDD appear to bepromising. We will start by describing some of the physical andbiological properties of NIR, with a primary focus on cellularmetabolism (the putative mechanism of its effects in MDD). We willthen review data suggestingMDDmay be characterized by abnormalbrain bioenergetic metabolism. Finally, we will examine the clinicalevidence on the effects of NIR on mood and of its efficacy as anantidepressant. We will first review indirect evidence on the effectof NIR on mood regulation and then we will discuss studies wheredepressed subjectswere treatedwith single ormultiple NIR sessionsand with continuous or pulse NIR.