A comprehensive, evidence-based resource for transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) - brain-focused light therapy for neurological and psychiatric conditions
Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a non-invasive therapy using near-infrared light (810nm) delivered through the skull to improve brain function. Think of it as "light therapy for your brain" - similar to how plants use sunlight for energy.
Light (810nm) → Penetrates skull → Activates mitochondria
↓
Brain cells produce more energy (ATP)
↓
Improved brain function & healing
- ⚡ Boosts cellular energy - Mitochondrial ATP production
- 🧬 Enhances neuroplasticity - New brain connections (BDNF ↑)
- 🌊 Improves blood flow - Better oxygen & nutrient delivery
- 🛡️ Reduces inflammation - Neuroprotective effects
- 🔄 Promotes repair - Neurogenesis and tissue healing
- Neurological: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, TBI, stroke recovery, cognitive decline
- Psychiatric: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, addiction recovery
- Cognitive: Memory enhancement, brain fog, focus, peak performance
- Recovery: Post-concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury
This knowledge base is informed by clinical expertise from Neurofeedback Luxembourg, a leading European tPBM practice:
📚 Comprehensive Guides:
- Introduction to Transcranial Photobiomodulation - Science behind light therapy for brain health
- Clinical Evidence Review - Real results from research
- Comprehensive tPBM Guide - Benefits, devices, protocols
🎯 Condition-Specific Applications:
- Performance & Cognitive Enhancement - Healthy individuals
- Autism Spectrum Disorder - Breakthrough mechanisms & protocols
- Brain Optimization - Enhancing mental performance
⚡ Advanced Protocols:
- The Trinity Approach - Combined neurofeedback + transcranial + vagal tPBM for accelerated results
- Neuroplasticity Enhancement - How tPBM promotes brain reorganization
🔬 Technology & Devices:
- Vielight Partnership - Why we chose this technology
- Vielight Neuro Device Guide - Advanced brain photobiomodulation
📹 Video Resources:
- Photobiomodulation & Neuroplasticity (French) - Stimulating brain function
- Mechanisms - How tPBM works at the cellular level
- Mitochondrial activation, ATP production, ROS signaling, NO release
- Parameters - Wavelength, dosing, safety guidelines
- 810nm wavelength, power density, pulse frequencies (10Hz/40Hz)
- What is tPBM - Patient-friendly introduction
Neurological:
- Alzheimer's Disease - Evidence ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong
- Autism Spectrum Disorder - Evidence ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate
- Cognitive Performance - Peak brain optimization (see clinical guide)
Psychiatric:
- Depression - Evidence ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong
- ADHD - Evidence ⭐⭐ Preliminary
- Anxiety - Treatment-resistant cases (coming soon)
- PTSD - Trauma recovery (coming soon)
Injury Recovery:
- TBI & Concussion - Post-concussion syndrome
- Stroke - Rehabilitation and recovery
- Alpha (10Hz) vs Gamma (40Hz) - Mode selection guide
- Vielight Neuro Series - Complete device lineup (Alpha, Gamma, Duo, Pro)
- LED vs Laser - Technology comparison and decision guide
- Home vs Clinical Treatment - Device selection and usage scenarios
- Combination Therapy - tPBM + Neurofeedback integration
- Read Trinity Approach
- Standard Protocols - Session frequency, duration, timelines
- QEEG-Guided Selection - Personalized protocol design
- Getting Started Guide - What to expect
- FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - All your questions answered
- Quick Reference Sheet - Printable one-pager
- By Country - FDA (USA), MDR (EU), Health Canada, Luxembourg
- Who Can Administer - Scope of practice by profession
- Compliance Guidelines - Safety, informed consent
- Resources Hub - Comprehensive resource directory
- Clinical Experts - Neurofeedback Luxembourg resources
- Research Databases - PubMed, Vielight library, ClinicalTrials.gov
- Professional Organizations - WALT, NAALT
- Videos & Presentations - YouTube, SlideShare, educational media
- Learn: What is tPBM? - Understand the therapy
- Explore: FAQ - Get your questions answered
- Find: Clinical Resources - Locate practitioners
- Understand: Mechanisms - The science behind tPBM
- Master: Parameters - Optimal dosing and safety
- Apply: Protocols - Treatment approaches
- Learn: Clinical Evidence - Research findings
- Review: Evidence Summary - Current state of science
- Consult: Parameters - Standardization considerations
- Contribute: See Contributing Guidelines
This knowledge base is optimized for AI access:
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/neurofeedback-luxembourg/transcranial-photobiomodulation-knowledge-base.git
# Load into LLM context
@transcranial-photobiomodulation-knowledge-base/docs/| Condition | Evidence | Key Findings | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's/Dementia | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong | MMSE +2-5 pts, ↑ DMN connectivity | Protocol |
| Depression | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong | 50% response rate, comparable to antidepressants | Protocol |
| Cognitive Enhancement | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong | Memory, focus, mental clarity improvements | Performance guide |
| TBI/Concussion | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | ↑ Cognitive function, ↓ symptoms | Research |
| Parkinson's | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | Motor symptom improvements | |
| Autism | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | CARS score improvements, ↓ behavioral rigidity | Protocol |
| ADHD | ⭐⭐ Preliminary | ↑ Focus, ↓ theta/beta ratio, case studies | Protocol |
| Parameter | Optimal Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength | 810 nm | NIR "therapeutic window" - penetrates skull |
| Power Density | 75-100 mW/cm² | Vielight Neuro standard |
| Fluence | 4-12 J/cm² per session | Total energy delivered |
| Duration | 20 minutes | Standard session length |
| Frequency | 3-7x/week | Acute: daily; Maintenance: 2-3x/week |
| Pulse Mode | 10 Hz (Alpha) - Relaxation 40 Hz (Gamma) - Cognition |
Mode selection guide |
Recommended Mode: Alpha (10 Hz) for relaxation, anxiety reduction
Schedule:
- Acute Phase (8-12 weeks): 4-5 sessions/week, 20 min
- Maintenance: 2-3 sessions/week
Expected Timeline:
- Weeks 1-2: Improved sleep, subtle mood shifts
- Weeks 4-6: Noticeable mood improvement
- Weeks 8-12: Significant symptom reduction
Enhancement: Combine with neurofeedback for accelerated results
- Read about The Trinity Approach
Evidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong - Comparable efficacy to antidepressants
We welcome contributions from:
- ✅ Clinicians with case studies and protocols
- ✅ Researchers with new evidence
- ✅ Patients sharing experiences
- ✅ Developers improving documentation
- Fork this repository
- Create a feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/new-protocol) - Commit changes (
git commit -m 'Add PTSD protocol') - Push to branch (
git push origin feature/new-protocol) - Open a Pull Request
See CONTRIBUTING.md for detailed guidelines.
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).
You are free to:
- ✅ Share - Copy and redistribute
- ✅ Adapt - Remix, transform, build upon
Under the following terms:
- 📝 Attribution - Credit must be given
- 🚫 NonCommercial - Not for commercial use
- 🔄 ShareAlike - Distribute derivatives under same license
This knowledge base is for educational and research purposes only. tPBM should complement, not replace, standard medical care.
- Not medical advice - Consult qualified healthcare professionals
- Individual results vary - Evidence shows trends, not guarantees
- Safety first - Review contraindications before use (FAQ)
- Neurofeedback Luxembourg - tPBM services
- SlideShare Presentations - Educational materials
- PubMed - Scientific literature
- Vielight Research Library - Device studies
- ClinicalTrials.gov - Ongoing studies
- WALT - World Association for Laser Therapy
- NAALT - North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy
Neurofeedback Luxembourg
- Website: neurofeedback-luxembourg.com
- Email: [email protected]
- GitHub: @neurofeedback-luxembourg
Current Version: 2.0 (Transcranial Focus) Last Updated: 2025-10-09
- Core mechanisms documentation
- Treatment parameters guide
- Alpha vs Gamma comparison
- Alzheimer's disease protocol
- Patient education materials (Getting Started, FAQ, Quick Reference)
- Combination therapy guide (tPBM + Neurofeedback)
- Vielight device specifications - Complete Neuro lineup (Alpha, Gamma, Duo, Pro)
- LED vs Laser comparison - Technology comparison guide
- Autism protocol - Evidence-based treatment guide
- ADHD protocol - Focus and attention enhancement
- Depression protocol - Strong evidence-based approach
- Resources hub - Clinical resources, research databases, professional organizations
- Legal & regulatory by country (USA, EU, Canada, Luxembourg)
- Interactive protocol selector
- QEEG integration guide
- Video tutorials
- Case study database
⭐ Star this repo if you find it useful for clinical practice or research!
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🔔 Watch for updates as we add more protocols, devices, and research
Maintained by Neurofeedback Luxembourg | Powered by clinical expertise and open science