Every year, serious scientists undertake rigorous studies to prove hypotheses and evolving research validating these theories. Sometimes their work is astonishing and fantastic, like discovering dinosaur embryos. Other times it has a huge global impact, like the discovery of penicillin. This week researchers reported evidence that will have dramatic, personal impact for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and those who want to prevent it.
At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference this week, reports were published on a pair of studies where Alzheimer’s patients were exposed to one hour each day of 40Hz light and sound over a period of weeks. The goal of the light and sound therapy was to boost and reinvigorate a rhythmic brain wave frequency called gamma waves. Gamma frequency is known to slow down in the Alzheimer’s brain.
Amyloid plaque buildup in the brain has long been considered a key factor in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have been working to develop drug therapies to attack and reduce the Amyloid Beta plaque build up. Historically pharmaceutical therapies for Alzheimer’s have been challenged and controversial at best. This latest research focused on a drug-free non-invasive approach.
The latest news is exceptional in that these investigations focused on replicating the positive results found with mice now with humans.
Both research studies were led by scientists at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These scientists pioneered research and development of 40Hz stimulation in the Alzheimer’s brain. Their early work began by exposing mice with Alzheimer’s to 40Hz lights; at that point they were able to show reduced amyloid plaque levels in the brain’s visual cortex region of up to 50%. That promising research along with other scientific studies and population factors were the impetus behind the foundation of BRIGHT™ and the launch of our BEACON40® light systems.
The latest news is exceptional in that these investigations focused on replicating the positive results found with mice now with humans. One study conducted testing on people with mild Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals were exposed to light and sound therapy for 1 hour daily. After three months, the test group brain scans revealed improved brain wave potency, while signs of Alzheimer’s-related brain degeneration slowed. The test group also performed better on face and name recognition tests.
The second study focused on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and similarly exposed them to daily, 60-minute, 40Hz light and sound therapy. This team determined that while brain degeneration linked to Alzheimer’s continued to progress within the test group, it did so 65% more slowly compared to similar stage patients with no 40Hz therapy.
The release of this report further bolster’s our commitment to the mission-driven work we’re doing at BRIGHT to bring easily accessible, noninvasive daily 40Hz light routines to families battling Alzheimer’s and those who want to prevent it. We acknowledge the scientists at leading brain health institutes around the globe who have advanced this research and will continue to evolve their understanding of cognitive decline and discover non-traditional approaches to reduce amyloid plaques and reinvigorate healthy brain gamma waves.
Today, there are almost 6 million Americans over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s and the risk of dementia is rising. More than 12 million people are projected to develop Alzheimer’s by the year 2050. Today’s research report provides all of us with data-driven hope to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
References:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/noninvasive-brain-wave-treatment-reduces-alzheimers-pathology-improves-memory-mice
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-27/light-flash-treatment-might-help-slow-alzheimers
https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/news/cognito-therapeutics-presents-new-clinical-data-demonstrating-disease-modifying-effects-of-gamma-frequency-neuro-modulation/article_d6a6a7a7-2a10-5270-b630-f556de810b62.html
