gamma stimulation | The Memories Project

An article published by Nature recently caught my eye. Instead of medication, a non-invasive treatment called “gamma frequency stimulation” has shown some promise in curbing further cognitive decline in those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, according to early clinical trial study results.

The method may sound dubious at first but the science behind it is interesting. Researchers have discovered that in addition to amyloid and tau protein accumulation, gamma frequency oscillations in the brain occur at a reduced rate in those with Alzheimer’s. Could gamma stimulation boost frequency, reduce amyloid and tau amounts and preserve or improve cognitive functioning?

Mouse models were promising and so are the initial findings of a randomized controlled trial, which found that the “daily use of 40Hz light and sound devices in patients with probable mild AD revealed preserved brain volume, improved memory, and stabilized sleep circadian rhythms.” A longer 30-month extension of this trial found that “patients showed surprising cognitive stability” even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other trials both at the academic and industry level have reported similar results.

What does the patient have to do to receive such treatment? One product requires a person to wear a special headset and glasses for an hour each day which produces rhythmic clicking and flashing lights that repeat 40 times a second. Another product comes in the form of a specialized light box. Researchers are attempting to make the light flicker and clicking sounds required for the gamma stimulation treatment more tolerable to users by incorporating music into some devices.

Gamma stimulation is not without health risks, especially for those prone to seizures. More research is needed and those interested should be wary of vendors selling expensive machines to consumers that have not been approved for treatment. I’ll be following developments in this trial as I’m all for effective at-home treatments that don’t require pricey medication that can come with a host of serious side effects.

Illustration by Microsoft Copilot.