Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-thermal therapeutic modality in which low-intensity red or near-infrared light is used to modulate biological activity. Experimental inner-ear studies report preservation of auditory neurons, attenuation of vestibular injury, improved survival of transplanted stem cells, and changes in otic organoid differentiation....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for current clinical practice — photobiomodulation for inner-ear regeneration remains a preclinical concept with no approved human application; this review is hypothesis-generating only.
If photobiomodulation can reliably trigger inner-ear cell regeneration via mitochondrial pathways, it could open a non-invasive treatment avenue for sensorineural hearing loss, which currently has no restorative therapy.
- 01Photobiomodulation (low-intensity red/near-infrared light) is reviewed as a potential inner-ear regeneration therapy.
- 02Proposed mechanism: modulation of mitochondrial redox signaling influences cell fate (survival, differentiation, death).
- 03Focus is on hair cell and supporting cell regeneration — currently irreversible losses in humans.
- 04Evidence remains largely preclinical; no clinical trials in humans are reported.
- 05Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Photobiomodulation can modulate mitochondrial redox signaling to influence cell-fate decisions in inner-ear cells.
studypartially supportedPhotobiomodulation is a potential regenerative signal for the inner ear.
opinionunclear- PMID
- 42883688
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijms27198438.
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Preclinical inner-ear cell and animal models (no direct human subjects)
- Intervention
- Photobiomodulation (low-intensity red/near-infrared light therapy)
Primary outcomes
Mitochondrial redox signaling changes; Cell-fate regulation (survival, differentiation, apoptosis) in inner-ear cells