810 nm near-infrared light offers neuroprotection and improves locomotor activity in MPTP-treated mice

We explored whether 810 nm near-infrared light (NIr) offered neuroprotection and/or improvement in locomotor activity in an acute 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Mice received MPTP and 810 nm NIr treatments, or not, and were tested for locomotive activity in an open-field test. Thereafter, brains were aldehyde-fixed and processed for tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that MPTP-treated mice that were irradiated with 810 nm NIr had both greater locomotor activity (similar to 40%) and number of dopaminergic cells (similar to 20%) than those that were not. In summary, 810 nm (as with 670 nm) NIr offered neuroprotection and improved locomotor activity in MPTP-treated mice. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.