Clinical Stability and Functional Improvement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Following Extended Brain-Gut Photobiomodulation Therapy: A Case Report
Abstract
Background
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a form of motor neuron disease (MND), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with limited therapeutic options. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in preclinical models, yet clinical evidence in human ALS patients remains sparse.
Methods
We present a 39-year-old male with bulbar-onset, upper motor neuron-predominant ALS who commenced twice-daily CeraThrive (Light Tree Ventures, Den Haag, Netherlands) red and near-infrared light therapy (630-1070 nm, 40 Hz) in January 2023, applied to the motor cortex, anterior neck, and abdomen.
Results
The clinician-administered ALSFRS-R score improved from 32 at baseline (February 2020) to 37 (February 2025), representing a cumulative 5-point improvement. Peripheral oxygen saturation also improved, rising from 89% (February 2020) to 96% (February 2026).The patient reported subjective improvements in ambulation, spasticity, swallowing, and general wellbeing.
Conclusions
While the case report methodology has limitations, functional improvement in a disease characterised by rapid progressive decline provides rationale for controlled clinical trials investigating PBM in ALS.
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