Researchers from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom and Beijing Normal University in China have reported that laser-based light therapy can enhance short-term memory, based on a study published in a peer-reviewed journal. The work adds to a growing interest in non-invasive brain stimulation techniques and their potential cognitive benefits for adults experiencing memory challenges.
The approach uses transcranial photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy that directs monochrome visible and infrared light to the head with the goal of influencing neural activity in targeted brain regions. In this investigation, scientists directed light toward the right prefrontal cortex, a brain area known to be involved in short-term memory formation and maintenance. The researchers describe this method as non-invasive, rapid, and devoid of reported adverse effects in their testing context.
In a controlled setting, the study enrolled ninety adults with measurable short-term memory difficulties. After a 12-minute session, participants were asked to recall a sequence of items displayed on a screen before the intervention. Those in the active treatment group remembered four to five items, representing a roughly 25 percent improvement over a control group that received no active light treatment. This finding suggests potential for TPBM to support short-term memory performance in individuals who face attentional demands in daily life.
While the results are encouraging, the exact mechanisms by which transcranial photobiomodulation enhances working memory remain under investigation. The duration of the benefit and the long-term efficacy across diverse populations are areas slated for further study. Researchers emphasize that additional trials are needed to determine how sustained the memory improvements might be and whether similar gains appear across different memory tasks and real-world settings. The current work underscores a growing interest in accessible, non-invasive options that could complement cognitive strategies for people experiencing memory challenges in North America, including Canada and the United States.