JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments
Neuroscience
0 views • 2:29 min • August 29th, 2025
Take a mouse and shave the dorsal head and neck regions.
Place the mouse on the palm and gently hold its tail.
Position a near-infrared or NIr-emitting device above the shaved region and switch it on.
The NIr light penetrates the scalp and skull, reaching the vestibular sensory epithelium in the inner ear.
This tissue contains sensory hair cells that convert mechanical stimuli into electrical signals.
These signals activate vestibular neurons, which relay this information to the brain.
Inside the hair cells, mitochondria absorb NIr light, enhancing cellular energy production.
This also generates reactive oxygen species, or ROS, as metabolic byproducts.
Excess ROS disrupts the signal transmission from hair cells to the brain.
In response, the cells increase the production of antioxidant enzymes.
These enzymes neutralize ROS and restore signal transmission to the brain during stimuli.
This highlights NIr therapy as a potential neuroprotective strategy to support neuronal function.
Two to three days before starting the experiment, shave the fur on the head and neck regions of each mouse as closely as possible to prevent regrowth of the animal's hair before completion of the treatment regime. To m
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