Effect of Transcranial Near InfraRed Light on Cerebral Function in Young and Healthy Older Subjects: a FMRI Study (TIROC)

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Transcranial photobiomodulation, near InfraRed, fMRI, brain function

Numerous studies have shown that the extra-cranial application of near infrared light (λ=600-1000nm) (also called transcranial photobiomodulation or tPBM), has a positive impact on brain function in both humans and experimental animal models and a neuroprotective effect in animal models. Several of these studies have reported that tPBM could impart more beneficial effects in aged or diseased brains. The primary objective of this study is to use fMRI to compare the cerebral activations in response to a finger tapping motor task, before and after 24min of tPBM versus sham stimulation, in old and young healthy human subjects. The hypothesis of the investigators is that tPBM improves brain function in participants who will be treated using the active device in comparison with those treated with the sham device and that this effect should will be more pronounced in the older subjects.

Many studies have shown that the extra-cranial application of light in the red and near infrared range (λ=600-1000nm), also called transcranial PhotoBioModulation (tPBM), could have a neuroprotective effect and a positive impact on brain function in the mammalian brain. At the cellular level, it is thought that the mechanism mainly relies on the activation of the cytochrome C oxidase and/or interfacial nanowater, two photoacceptors located within the mitochondria that absorb red and near infrared photons. The interaction between the photons and the photoacceptor results in a cascade of secondary events, activating the respiratory chain and increasing Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP) synthesis, the main source of energy in the cell. In humans, an increasing number of studies have reported an improvement of cognitive functions after one or several tPBM sessions in patients suffering Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, or in cases of stroke. Recently, some EEG and fMRI studies on healthy subjects, young and/or old, have also reported a modification of neuronal activation patterns at rest or during the performance of a cognitive task. Regarding tPBM, this is a non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatment, for which no adverse effects have been reported. Further, the FDA has already approved the use of several PBM devices for therapeutic use in humans, for example, the treatment of pain, inflammation or dermal conditions. Those preliminary results in humans are thus very encouraging. However, the precise mechanism of action remains to be better characterised, and further studies are required to better define its effects on the human brain and its indications for a therapeutic use. Moreover the extent tPBM influence on the brain of the elderly is still very unclear. In the present study, the investigators aim to evaluate brain function before and after a tPBM session, during the realisation of a motor task or at rest, while comparing a group of young and elderly subjects. The working hypotheses of the investigators are as follows : * tPBM will improve motor performances and brain function of all subjects, and to a greater extent that of the older subjects * tPBM will change brain activity, reorganising large scale neuronal networks at rest.

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