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Red Light Therapy Shows Promise for Football Players' Brain Health

1/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A University of Utah Health study by Dr. Shae Datta suggests red light therapy may protect college football players' brains from inflammation linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Twenty-six collegiate players received red light therapy or a placebo over a 16-week season.
MRI scans showed no inflammation in the therapy group, while the placebo group did.
Experts caution that further research is needed.

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Story summary

A University of Utah Health study by Dr. Shae Datta suggests red light therapy may protect college football players' brains from inflammation linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Twenty-six collegiate players received red light therapy or a placebo over a 16-week season.
MRI scans showed no inflammation in the therapy group, while the placebo group did.
Experts caution that further research is needed.