Photobiomodulation and Cognitive Enhancement in ADHD: Translational Evidence

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in attention, inhibitory control, working memory, and executive functions, largely associated with dysfunction of prefrontal and frontoparietal networks. Limitations and variable tolerability of pharmacological treatments have motivated interest in nonpharmacological neuromodulatory approaches. Methods: This narrative review was conducted based on a structured search of the PubMed database to identify preclinical and clinical studies investigating the cognitive and neurobiological effects of transcranial photobiomodulation. Studies were selected using predefined keywords related to photobiomodulation, cognition, and ADHD, and included investigations assessing cognitive or neurophysiological outcomes. Results: Across studies, photobiomodulation targeting prefrontal regions was associated with improvements in sustained and selective attention, inhibitory control, working memory, and broader executive functions, accompanied by increased cortical oxygenation, enhanced mitochondrial metabolism, and functional reorganization of prefrontal and frontoparietal networks; preliminary studies in ADHD populations also suggest beneficial effects on attention and working memory. Limitations: The current literature is constrained by the limited number of ADHD-specific clinical studies, heterogeneity in stimulation parameters, variability in cognitive outcome measures, relatively small sample sizes, and limited long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Transcranial photobiomodulation represents a promising, safe, and biologically plausible nonpharmacological strategy for modulating cognitive dysfunctions associated with ADHD; however, well-controlled randomized clinical trials are required to confirm efficacy, define optimal protocols, and establish long-term outcomes.