After 3 months of daily stimulation, participants with mild Alzheimer’s disease in the 40Hz stimulation group showed less ventricular enlargement and stabilization of the hippocampal size compared to the control group. Functional connectivity increased in both the default mode network and the medial visual network. Circadian rhythmicity also improved. Compared to controls, the active group performed better on the face-name association delayed recall test.
A “flicker treatment” that uses flickering lights and sounds has been shown to be tolerable, safe, and effective in treating adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Ten patients with mild cognitive impairment due to underlying AD received 1-hour daily gamma flicker using audiovisual stimulation for 4 or 8 weeks at home with a delayed start design. Gamma flicker was safe, tolerable, and adherable. Participants’ neural activity entrained to stimulation. Magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral spinal fluid proteomics show preliminary evidence that prolonged flicker affects neural networks and immune factors in the nervous system.
This is an excellent review of the latest developments in the 40Hz brain stimulation research. Tsai and her team have shown that inputs of gamma waves boost the activity of immune cells in the brain called microglia that clear amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Oscillating light and sound waves also increased blood flow, improved the survival and health of the animals’ neurons, and bolstered their connectivity across brain regions. “All of these effects converge to reduce cognitive impairment and pathology,” Tsai says.
Exposure to light pulsing at 40 flashes per second causes brains to release a surge of signaling chemicals — small proteins called cytokines and secreted externally by cells. Increase in cytokines was seen after an hour of stimulation. The new study connects the light flicker with glial and other immune activation.
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Researchers discovered that the exposure to light pulsing at 40 flashes per second—causes brains to release a surge of signaling chemicals — small proteins called cytokines and secreted externally by cells. Increase in cytokines was seen after an hour of stimulation. The new study connects the light flicker with glial and other immune activation.
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