Chronic Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease by Gamma Light and Sound Therapy

Study Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by significant memory loss, toxic protein deposits amyloid and tau) in the brain, and changes in the gamma frequency band on EEG. The investigator's lab found that boosting gamma waves in AD mouse models using light and sound stimulation at 40Hz not only reduced amyloid and tau in the brain, but also improved memory. The investigators developed a light and sound device for humans that stimulates the brain at 40Hz that can be used safely at home. For the present study, 60 participants with mild Alzheimer's disease will be enrolled and will use this light and sound device at-home daily for 6-months. Investigators will measure changes in brain waves with EEG, blood biomarkers, the microbiome via fecal samples, functional and structural MRI scans, memory and cognitive testing, and questionnaires at 3 in-person visits throughout the study. After the 6-month time point, participants will have the option of continuing in the study for one additional year and completing an 18-month study visit. This study will provide critical insight into extended therapy involving non-invasive 40Hz sensory stimulation as a possible therapeutic strategy for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Primary Outcome

Feasibility of gamma frequency stimulation in subjects with AD will be assessed by analyzing the EEG data from each subject as they undergo gamma light, sound, and tactile stimulation. Investigators will look for a sign of change in gamma frequency waves and determine the percent of subjects who show this change. This change will be assessed through FFT analyses on the EEG data in MATLAB, which looks at the different frequencies that were present during the EEG session.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• DEVICE GENUS device (Active Settings)
• DEVICE GENUS device (sham settings)

Study Locations (1)