Despite decades of research, investigators have been challenged to pinpoint the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease, and importantly, how to reverse it. It has been well established that beta-amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles accumulate in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s. These toxic proteins block cell-to-cell signaling and trigger inflammation, causing significant damage to otherwise healthy brain cells.
Now, an emerging theory suggests that synchronized light and sound therapy may slow cognitive decline and neurodegeneration in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike a drug or injection one would have to take every day, Cognito Therapeutics led by MIT researchers recently unveiled a specialized headset that delivers 40Hz auditory and visual stimulation directly to the brain. Recent clinical trials show promising results, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
Brainwaves are categorized based on frequency, or the number of times the wave repeats itself within a second. Simply put, faster waves have a higher frequency. At the highest range, gamma waves are generated when your brain is hard at work. Ranging from a frequency of 30 to 100 Hz, synchronization of gamma waves has been shown to correlate with enhanced cognitive function.
How do you effectively stimulate the brain to induce long-lasting changes in neural activity? Several animal studies of Alzheimer’s disease have found that exposure to white-LED lights flickering at 30 to 50 Hz can enhance gamma activity in regions of the brain involved in learning and memory. It has been proposed that the increased synchronization of brain waves may offer a neuroprotective effect.
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