Gamma brainwave training has emerged as a promising approach in Alzheimer’s research, offering the potential for symptom reduction and even reversal. This article delves into recent studies and the use of gamma neurofeedback and Audio Visual Entrainment (AVE) devices in combating Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Understanding Gamma Brainwaves

Gamma brainwaves, oscillating at 30-100 Hz, are associated with high-level cognitive functions, including perception, consciousness, and memory. Recent research indicates a potential link between gamma brainwave stimulation and improved cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients.

Gamma Brainwave Training and Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a neuro-degenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss. Traditional treatments focus on managing symptoms, but gamma brainwave training offers a novel approach by targeting the underlying neural mechanisms. Researchers hope to enhance cognitive functions and slow disease progression by stimulating gamma brainwaves.

Neurofeedback and AVE Devices

Gamma neurofeedback and AVE devices are at the forefront of this research. Neurofeedback involves real-time brain activity monitoring and feedback, allowing individuals to train their brains to produce desired brainwave patterns.

Recent Studies and Findings

Studies at MIT and other institutions produce mounting evidence that light flickering and sound clicking at the gamma brain rhythm frequency of 40 Hz can reduce Alzheimer’s disease progression and treat symptoms in human volunteers and lab mice. In a study published in Nature, researchers at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory of MIT revealed a key mechanism that may contribute to these beneficial effects: the clearance of amyloid proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology, via the brain’s glymphatic system, a recently discovered “plumbing” network parallel to the brain’s blood vessels.

“Ever since we published our first results in 2016, people have asked me how it works. Why 40 Hz? Why not some other frequency?” said study senior author Li-Huei Tsai, Picower Professor of Neuroscience and director of The Picower Institute and MIT’s Aging Brain Initiative. “These are fundamental questions we have worked very hard in the lab to address.”

The new study articulates a series of lab experiments led by Mitch Murdock during his doctoral studies at MIT. They show that sensory gamma stimulation increases 40 Hz power and synchrony in the brains of mice, prompting specific neurons to release peptides. The study results further suggest that these short protein signals drive processes that promote increased amyloid clearance via the glymphatic system.

“We do not yet have a linear map of the exact sequence of events that occurs,” said Murdock, supervised by Tsai and co-author Ed Boyden, Y. Eva Tan Professor of Neurotechnology at MIT. “But the findings in our experiments support this clearance pathway through the major glymphatic routes.”

From Gamma to Glymphatics

Prior research has shown that the glymphatic system is a crucial conduit for brain waste clearance and may be regulated by brain rhythms. Tsai and Murdock’s team hypothesized that it might help explain the lab’s prior observations that gamma sensory stimulation reduces amyloid levels in Alzheimer’s model mice.

Working with “5XFAD” mice, which genetically model Alzheimer’s, Murdock and co-authors first replicated the lab’s prior results that 40 Hz sensory stimulation increases 40 Hz neuronal activity in the brain and reduces amyloid levels. They then measured whether there was any correlated change in the fluids that flow through the glymphatic system to carry away wastes. Indeed, they observed increases in cerebrospinal fluid in the brain tissue of treated mice compared to controls. They also measured an increase in the rate of interstitial fluid leaving the brain. Moreover, in gamma-treated mice, they measured an increased diameter of the lymphatic vessels that drain away fluids and found increased amyloid accumulation in cervical lymph nodes, the drainage site for that flow.

To investigate how this increased fluid flow might occur, the team focused on astrocyte cells’ aquaporin 4 (AQP4) water channel, which facilitates glymphatic fluid exchange. When they blocked AQP4 function with a chemical, it prevented sensory gamma stimulation from reducing amyloid levels and improving mouse learning and memory. Using a genetic technique to disrupt AQP4 also interfered with gamma-driven amyloid clearanceIn addition to fluid exchange promoted by AQP4 activity in astrocytes, another mechanism by which gamma waves promote glymphatic flow is by increasing the pulsation of neighboring blood vessels. Measurements showed stronger arterial pulsatility in mice subjected to sensory gamma stimulation than controls.

Prompted by Peptides

RNA sequencing data revealed that gamma sensory stimulation promoted changes consistent with increased astrocyte AQP4 activity. Additionally, a subset of neurons called “interneurons” experienced an uptick in peptide production, notably VIP, which is associated with Alzheimer’s-fighting benefits and helps regulate vascular cells, blood flow, and glymphatic clearance. Increased VIP levels were observed in gamma-treated mice, indicating a significant role in promoting amyloid clearance and cognitive benefits.

FAQ: Gamma Neurofeedback and AVE Devices for Alzheimer’s

1. What is gamma neurofeedback?

– Gamma neurofeedback is a technique that monitors and provides real-time feedback on brain activity to help individuals train their brains to produce gamma brainwaves, which are associated with higher cognitive functions.

 

2. How does Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) work?

– AVE devices use light and sound at specific frequencies, such as 40 Hz, to stimulate brainwave activity. AVE can enhance cognitive functions and potentially reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.

 

3. What is the significance of 40 Hz in Alzheimer’s treatment?

– Scientific studies have shown that 40 Hz gamma training increases brainwave activity, linked to the clearance of amyloid proteins via the glymphatic system, potentially slowing Alzheimer’s progression.

 

4. Can gamma brainwave training reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms?

– While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, gamma brainwave training has shown promise in reducing symptoms and slowing disease progression, potentially improving the quality of life for patients.

 

5. Are there any side effects of using gamma neurofeedback or AVE devices?

– These techniques are generally considered safe. But it is essential to use these devices under professional guidance.

 

6. How long does it take to see results from gamma brainwave training?

– The timeframe for seeing results can depend on the individual being treated, along with the severity of the condition. Various scientific reports have shown significant improvements in cognitive function and amyloid clearance after several weeks of consistent treatment.

7. Is gamma brainwave training suitable for all Alzheimer’s patients?

– While gamma brainwave training shows promise, it may only be suitable for some. Patients should consult with their healthcare providers to determine whether this approach is appropriate for their condition.

Reference:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240228114328.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9797689/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167876009002682