Phototherapy via Modulation of β‐Amyloid in Combating Alzheimer's Disease

ABSTRACT Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent forms of neurodegenerative disease. Although some controversy exists, β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) is recognized to play an essential role in the pathophysiology of AD. The Aβ species are known to exist in various forms, including soluble monomers, oligomers, and insoluble aggregates. Despite extensive efforts to regulate Aβ aggregation, no successful medications have been developed to date. Among the various strategies for AD treatment, phototherapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), photopharmacology, and photobiomodulation (PBM) have attracted increased attention because of the spatiotemporal controllability. Representative examples of PDT, PTT, photopharmacology, and PBM are discussed in terms of inhibitory mechanism, the unique properties of materials, and the design of phototherapy modulators. The major challenges of phototherapy against AD are addressed and the promising prospects are proposed. It is concluded that the noninvasive light‐assisted approaches will become a promising strategy for intensifying the modulation of Aβ aggregation or promoting Aβ clearance and thus facilitating AD treatment.