Transcranial Irradiation Mitigates Paradoxical Sleep Deprivation Effect in an Age-Dependent Manner: Role of BDNF and GLP-1

The growing prevalence of aged sleep-deprived nations is turning into a pandemic state. Acute sleep deprivation (SD) accompanies aging, changing the hippocampal cellular pattern, neurogenesis pathway expression, and aggravating cognitive deterioration. The present study investigated the ability of Near Infra Red (NIR) light laser to ameliorate cognitive impairment induced by SD in young and senile rats. Wistar rats <= 2 months (young) and >= 14 months (senile) were sleep-deprived for 72 h with or without transcranial administration of NIR laser of 830 nm. Our results showed that NIR photobiomodulation (PBM) attenuated cognitive deterioration made by SD in young, but not senile rats, while both sleep-deprived young and senile rats exhibited decreased anxiety (mania)-like behavior in response to PBM. NIR PBM had an inhibitory effect on AChE, enhanced the production of ACh, attenuated ROS, and regulated cell apoptosis factors such as Bax and Bcl-2. NIR increased mRNA expression of BDNF and GLP-1 in senile rats, thus facilitating neuronal survival and differentiation. The present findings also revealed that age exerts an additive factor to the cellular assaults produced by SD where hippocampal damages made in 2-month rats were less severe than those of the aged one. In conclusion, NIR PBM seems to promote cellular longevity of senile hippocampal cells by combating ROS, elevating neurotrophic factors, thus improving cognitive performance. The present findings provide NIR as a possible candidate for hippocampal neuronal insults accompanying aging and SD.

Automated summary

The prevalence of sleep deprivation is becoming increasingly common, especially among the elderly. This study investigated the effects of near infrared (NIR) light laser on cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation in young and old rats. The results showed that NIR photobiomodulation (PBM) attenuated cognitive deterioration in young rats but not in old rats. However, both young and old rats exhibited decreased anxiety-like behavior in response to PBM. Additionally, NIR had positive effects on neuronal survival and differentiation in old rats by regulating certain factors.