A feasibility trial of gamma sensory flicker for patients with prodromal Alzheimer's disease

• Published in: Alzheimer's & dementia : translational research & clinical interventions Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. e12178 - n/a
• Main Authors: He, Qiliang, Colon‐Motas, Kay M., Pybus, Alyssa F., Piendel, Lydia, Seppa, Jonna K., Walker, Margaret L., Manzanares, Cecelia M., Qiu, Deqiang, Miocinovic, Svjetlana, Wood, Levi B., Levey, Allan I., Lah, James J., Singer, Annabelle C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 2021; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; amyloid beta; Biomarkers; Brain research; Cognitive ability; cytokines; default mode network; Dementia; Diagnostic tests; Electroencephalography; electrophysiology; Feasibility studies; feasibility trial; gamma stimulation; Magnetic resonance imaging; neural stimulation; Pathology; prodromal Alzheimer's disease; sensory stimulation; feasibility trial; electrophysiology; sensory stimulation; neural stimulation; gamma stimulation; cytokines; default mode network; amyloid beta; prodromal Alzheimer's disease
• ISSN: 2352-8737; 2352-8737
• DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12178

Introduction
We and collaborators discovered that flickering lights and sound at gamma frequency (40 Hz) reduce Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and alter immune cells and signaling in mice. To determine the feasibility of this intervention in humans we tested the safety, tolerability, and daily adherence to extended audiovisual gamma flicker stimulation.
Methods
Ten patients with mild cognitive impairment due to underlying AD received 1‐hour daily gamma flicker using audiovisual stimulation for 4 or 8 weeks at home with a delayed start design.
Results
Gamma flicker was safe, tolerable, and adherable. Participants’ neural activity entrained to stimulation. Magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral spinal fluid proteomics show preliminary evidence that prolonged flicker affects neural networks and immune factors in the nervous system.
Discussion
These findings show that prolonged gamma sensory flicker is safe, tolerable, and feasible with preliminary indications of immune and network effects, supporting further study of gamma stimulation in AD.