July 24, 2024

40 Hertz Light and Sound Therapy Can Potentially Decrease Risk of Dementia (and Possibly Even Treat!)

 

Make sure the video settings are set to 2160p60!!! Or you will not see the 40Hz light flickering. Version 1 above uses frequency clicks centered at 10kHz. Version 2 below uses higher frequency clicks that peaks at 10kHz.

Studies at MIT and elsewhere are producing mounting evidence that light flickering and sound clicking at the gamma brain rhythm frequency of 40 hertz can reduce Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression and treat symptoms in human volunteers as well as lab mice. Hard to believe that something so "simple" can have such a major impact on such a difficult medical condition!

So, why 40 Hz? Light and sound sensory gamma stimulation increases 40Hz power and synchrony in the brains of mice, that prompts a particular type of neuron to release peptides. These short peptide protein signals drive specific neuronal processes that promote increased amyloid and tau clearance via the glymphatic system. Because amyloid and tau protein buildup in the brain is one of the main findings in Alzheimer's dementia, reducing such "toxic" protein buildup is thought to possibly decrease risk for dementia development and potentially even treat it.

TED talk on this topic by one of the main MIT researchers can be watched here

In 2016, MIT researchers discovered that brain wave gamma frequency (40Hz) power and synchrony are substantially weaker in Alzheimer’s model mice and may also be in patients. They experimented in mice by stimulating gamma rhythms with completely non-invasive 40Hz flashes of visible light. In 2019, they showed that the flashes dubbed GENUS for Gamma ENtrainment Using Sensory, stimuli protected against neurodegeneration.

In 2019, the researchers showed that 40Hz sound stimulation works in mice too. They found that GENUS preserved both memory and cognitive performance..

In 2022, they published results of pilot Phase 1 and Phase 2A human clinical studies showing that audio and visual GENUS was safe, well tolerated and successful in increasing 40Hz power and coherence around the brain. Moreover, treated participants showed reduced brain atrophy, improved sleep patterns and improvement on face-name association memory after three months compared to untreated controls.

The results have been so promising, a new startup company, Cognito Therapeutics, has been created by the MIT researchers.

This video is for educational purposes only. Please consult your doctor before engaging in brain wave technology! Preliminary results suggest watching and listening for 1 hour every day.

Research 
Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.

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