For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), treatment options are limited. Available treatments may alleviate comorbid symptoms of depression, anxiety, and attention deficits but have limited impact on many of the core symptoms of ASD, including deficits in social functioning. A recent study led by Atilla Ceranoglu, MD from the Alan and Lorraine Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Paolo Cassano, MD PhD, Director of Photobiomodulation in the Depression Clinical and Research Program, examines the efficacy and safety of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Transcranial photobiomodulation is a promising new approach for the treatment of a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Previous studies have demonstrated that near infrared and red light is absorbed by the cell, primarily by mitochondria, and have pro-metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects and can also stimulate neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. With this treatment, a device fitted with light emitting diodes (LEDs) is used to deliver low energy to the head, usually the forehead.
In this study, 11 participants with high-functioning ASD, between 18 and 59 years of age, were enrolled and scheduled to receive tPBM twice per week for a total of 8 weeks. Ten participants (9 males; 30.0 ± 11.9 years) completed the study. One participant withdrew consent before receiving treatment. ASD symptom severity was assessed at baseline, midpoint, and end-point, by clinician-, self-, and informant-rated measures. Treatment response was defined as a 30% or greater reduction in Social Responsiveness Scale-2nd Edition (SRS-2) total score and an ASD Clinical Global Impression-Improvement score of 2 or less.
Five of the 10 participants (50%) were considered responders at study endpoint. Overall, an 8-week course of tPBM was associated with significant reductions in SRS-2 total scores at endpoint (SRS-2: -30.6 ± 23, p < 0.001) particularly in the domains of Social Awareness, Social Communication, Social Motivation, and Restricted/Repetitive Behaviors. There were statistically significant improvements in Global Assessment of Functioning scores (+12.8 ± 4.2, p < 0.001) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire scores (+6.0 ± 7.9, p = 0.02).
Three participants experienced transient, mild side effects, specifically insomnia (n=1), headache (n=1), and warmth at the treatment application site (n=1). These adverse events did not require any change in the tPBM protocol. The adherence rate was 98%.
While the findings must be interpreted with caution given the small size of the sample, this pilot study indicates that tPBM is a safe and feasible treatment approach with the potential to treat core features of ASD, including deficits in social functioning. This is a non-invasive, non-pharmacologic intervention, which could easily be delivered at home and has minimal, relatively benign side effects. In the following video, Dr. Cassano reviews the findings of this study and also discusses the potential use of this treatment in younger individuals with ASD.
Read More
Ceranoglu TA, Cassano P, Hoskova B, Green A, Dallenbach N, DiSalvo M, Biederman J, Joshi G. Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Positive Findings from a Proof-of-Concept Study. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2022 Jan;40(1):4-12.
