Near Infrared Light (Photobiomodulation) for Otoprotection

Summary

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using NIR light is a non-invasive therapy that uses light energy to enhance or modulate the activities of cells. PBMT has been shown to be capable of reducing pain, and triggering regeneration of nerves and other tissues, and currently has several clinical applications approved. 

The mechanism of PBMT on neural-cell recovery and regeneration is yet to be fully clarified. However, evidence suggests that mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX), a key protein in cellular metabolism and repair, absorbs NIR-wavelength energy, increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the mitochondrial membrane potential.  

Hearing loss occurs for many reasons, some with predictable and acute insults that may be amenable to prophylactic or salvage therapies targeted at improving cell survival. Examples include noise induced loss, pharmacological ototoxicity and inner ear trauma.   

Use of PBMT as inner ear treatment is at an early and exciting stage, with promising in vitro and in vivo model data, but very limited human data. In animal models PBMT has been shown to protect hearing thresholds and reduce cochlear hair cell and nerve cell death in response to toxins and trauma.

One interesting aspect of PBMT has been its role in prophylactic otoprotection, being shown to reduce damage when used prior to noise or aminoglycoside administration. Animal model studies have therefore demonstrated proof of concept, leading to a need for human clinical testing.   

Project aims

A collaboration has been formed to span PBMT device development (Bale lab, Clinical Engineering Innovation Team), cell studies and modelling (Bance lab), cadaveric modelling and clinical trials (Smith group). Our initial prototype testing suggests feasibility for NIR delivery to the ear, and a student project will begin focus on device development and optimisation with rapid prototyping and clinical data collection, initially in individuals with cochlear implants, permitting collection of measures of cochlear health and neural performance.

The project will then involve clinical trials of the PBMT device in different patient groups, such as those with aminoglycoside toxicity risk, noise exposure and cochlear implant insertion trauma.   

Contact details

Matthew Smith, mes39@cam.ac.uk - Clinical Neurosciences 

Co-supervised by Dr Gemma Bale; Neuro-optics lab, Dept Engineering.

Opportunities 

This project is open to applicants who want to do a:

• PhD
• MPhil