A recent study has revealed encouraging outcomes for Alzheimer’s disease patients who continued to receive 40Hz light and sound stimulation for approximately two years. The research, originating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), focused on five volunteers who participated in an early-stage clinical trial aimed at exploring potential therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The results demonstrated that three female participants with late-onset Alzheimer’s exhibited cognitive improvements that were significantly higher compared to similar patients in national databases. Notably, the two late-onset volunteers who provided plasma samples showed a marked reduction in levels of tau proteins, a key Alzheimer’s biomarker. In contrast, the two male participants with early-onset forms of the disease did not show substantial benefits after the same duration of stimulation.
The study represents the longest evaluation to date of this non-invasive treatment method, known as GENUS (gamma entrainment using sensory stimuli). This method is currently under examination in a nationwide clinical trial by Cognito Therapeutics, an MIT spin-off company.
Study Insights and Background
According to the authors of the study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, “This pilot study assessed the long-term effects of daily 40Hz multimodal GENUS in patients with mild AD.” They found that the treatment over two years is both safe and feasible, and it may contribute to slowing cognitive decline and biomarker progression, particularly in late-onset AD patients.
In 2020, MIT initiated a trial enrolling 15 volunteers diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s to determine the efficacy of daily 40Hz stimulation delivered through an LED panel and speakers in their homes. Previous research indicated that such sensory stimulation enhances gamma frequency brain waves, preserves neuronal connections, and reduces harmful Alzheimer’s proteins like amyloid and tau.
Although the initial trial was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the preliminary results indicated significant cognitive benefits after just three months of treatment. The follow-up study included five volunteers who continued their stimulation regimen on an “open label” basis for two years, returning to MIT for assessments 30 months after their initial enrollment.
Cognitive Improvements and Future Directions
Throughout the study, participants underwent a series of cognitive and behavioral tests at multiple intervals, including zero, three, and 30 months. Measurements included brain wave responses to stimulation, MRI scans, and assessments of sleep quality. For comparative analysis, researchers utilized data from three national databases, matching thousands of untreated Alzheimer’s patients based on age, gender, and cognitive scores.
The three late-onset female volunteers exhibited improvements or slower cognitive decline on most tests, with notable positive differences in three assessments compared to controls. Additionally, they demonstrated increased brain-wave responses to stimulation and enhancements in circadian rhythms. The two participants who provided blood samples showed significant reductions in phosphorylated tau levels, with one participant experiencing a 47 percent decrease and the other a 19.4 percent decrease.
The findings suggest that GENUS could have direct biological impacts on Alzheimer’s pathology, prompting further investigation in larger randomized trials. While the initial trial indicated brain volume preservation at three months, this effect did not persist at the 30-month mark. The early-onset participants, however, did not show significant cognitive improvements and displayed decreased brain-wave responsiveness to the stimulation.
The research team speculates that the differences in treatment response may stem from variations in disease onset, with future studies needed to explore predictors of treatment effectiveness, including genetic and pathological markers. Currently, the research team is initiating a new trial to determine if GENUS might exhibit preventive effects when applied before Alzheimer’s onset. This study is actively recruiting participants aged 55 and older with normal memory but a familial history of Alzheimer’s disease.
This research was supported by several foundations, including the Freedom Together Foundation and the Robert A. and Renee E. Belfer Family Foundation, among others.
As the scientific community continues to explore innovative interventions for Alzheimer’s, findings from this study contribute valuable insights into the potential long-term benefits of non-invasive stimulation therapies.
