Li-Huei Tsai: Gamma Frequency Light and Sound Stimulation for Alzheimer's Disease

There is currently no effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease. EEG recordings have shown that gamma frequency electrical oscillations are diminished and aberrant excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission is increased in the brain's of people with Alzheimer's disease. In this episode MIT Professor Li-Huei Tsai talks about her discovery that gamma frequency (40 Hz) light and sound stimulation can enhance GABAergic inhibitory tone, ameloriate the disease process, and preserve cognition in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. This research led to initial phase I and II clinical trials of gamma light and sound stimulation in Alzheimer's disease with encouraging results. A large phase III trial is in progress.

LINKS:

Preclinical studies:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6774262/pdf/nihms-1538841.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6697125/pdf/nihms-1528873.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5656389/pdf/nihms886326.pdf

Phase I and II trials in AD patients:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9714926/pdf/pone.0278412.pdf

Ongoing phase III trial in AD patients:

https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05637801?term=cognito&cond=alzheimer%27s&draw=2&rank=1