Light and Sound Therapy for Mild Alzheimer's Disease
Chronic Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease by Gamma Light and Sound Therapy
Recruiting
N/AInterventional Study
Alzheimer DiseaseAlzheimer Disease, Early OnsetAlzheimer Disease, Late OnsetAlzheimer's Disease (Incl Subtypes)Alzheimer'sAlzheimer's Disease
No Placebo Group
Every participant receives an active treatment — no one gets a placebo.
Healthy Volunteers Welcome
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Ready to participate?
Review the details below, then apply to join this clinical trial.
At a Glance
Age
65 – 100
Sex
Any
Study type
Interventional
Purpose
Treatment
Participants needed
60 (estimated)
Sponsor
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Other
Who this trial is looking for
This trial is looking for people aged 65 to 100 with mild Alzheimer's disease. Participants will use a special light and sound device at home for six months while researchers monitor their health and brain function.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
You may be able to join if
I am between 65 and 100 years old.
I have mild Alzheimer's disease.
I have a Mini Mental State Exam score of 19-26.
I am willing to sign a consent form.
I can use the device at home for the first month.
You may not be able to join if
I do not have healthcare.
I am currently taking amyloid reducing therapy.
I have had a stroke in the past 24 months.
I have a history of seizures or epilepsy.
I am actively diagnosed with cancer.
I have behavioral problems that might interfere with the study.
I am pregnant.
Summarized in plain language from this trial's official eligibility criteria.
The full criteria are further down this page — only the research team can
confirm whether you qualify.
Think this trial could be right for you?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you may meet the eligibility requirements.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by significant memory loss, toxic protein deposits amyloid and tau) in the brain, and changes in the gamma frequency band on EEG. The investigator's lab found that boosting gamma waves in AD mouse models using light and sound stimulation at 40Hz not only reduced amyloid and tau in the brain, but also improved memory. The investigators developed a light and…
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by significant memory loss, toxic protein deposits amyloid and tau) in the brain, and changes in the gamma frequency band on EEG. The investigator's lab found that boosting gamma waves in AD mouse models using light and sound stimulation at 40Hz not only reduced amyloid and tau in the brain, but also improved memory. The investigators developed a light and sound device for humans that stimulates the brain at 40Hz that can be used safely at home. For the present study, 60 participants with mild Alzheimer's disease will be enrolled and will use this light and sound device at-home daily for 6-months. Investigators will measure changes in brain waves with EEG, blood biomarkers, the microbiome via fecal samples, functional and structural MRI scans, memory and cognitive testing, and questionnaires at 3 in-person visits throughout the study. After the 6-month time point, participants will have the option of continuing in the study for at least one year and completing yearly study visits. This study will provide critical insight into extended therapy involving non-invasive 40Hz sensory stimulation as a possible therapeutic strategy for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
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Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Subjects may be enrolled into the study if they meet all of the following criteria:
* Subject is between the ages of 65 - 100.
* Subject must have mild Alzheimer's disease with a Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) score of 19-26.
* Subject is willing to sign informed consent documen…
Inclusion Criteria:
Subjects may be enrolled into the study if they meet all of the following criteria:
* Subject is between the ages of 65 - 100.
* Subject must have mild Alzheimer's disease with a Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) score of 19-26.
* Subject is willing to sign informed consent document.
* If subject is deemed to not have capacity to sign the informed consent, he/she will need a legally authorized representative to provide surrogate consent.
* Able to complete the 1st month of at home stimulation at their primary residence. If subjects plan to spend more than 1 week away from their primary residence during the trial, their inclusion must be assessed by the research team.
Exclusion Criteria:
Subjects who meet any of the following conditions will not be enrolled in the study:
* Subjects who do not have healthcare.
* Subjects who are currently taking amyloid reducing therapy.
* Subjects who have \> 4 cerebral microbleeds or 1 macrobleed in their brain
* Active treatment on a dosage of one or more psychiatric agents (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc) for LESS THAN three months (a stable dose for greater than or equal to three months is ok).
* Subjects who are actively diagnosed with cancer and undergoing cancer-related treatments
* Subjects who are being treated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (eg. Memantine).
* Subjects on medications that lower seizure threshold such as wellbutrin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, etc.
* Subjects with history of seizure or epilepsy
* Subjects with clinically significant suicide risk and/or suicide attempt in the past 1 year.
* Subjects with behavioral problems such as aggression/agitation/impulsivity that might interfere with their ability to comply with protocol.
* Subjects with untreated or unstable depression
* Active treatment with one or more anti-epileptic agent.
* Subjects who have had a stroke within the past 24 months.
* Subjects who have had eye surgery in the last 3 months or are scheduled to have eye surgery in the next 6 months (during the study)
* Subjects diagnosed with migraine headache.
* Subjects who have an active implantable medical device including but not limited to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), deep brain stimulator (DBS), cardiac pacemaker, and/or sacral nerve stimulator.
* Subjects who have profound hearing or visual impairment.
* Subjects who have a life expectancy of less than 2 years.
* Subjects who are pregnant.
* Current or past history of any neurological disorder other than dementia, such as epilepsy, stroke, progressive neurologic disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis) or intracranial brain lesions; and history of previous neurosurgery or head trauma that resulted in residual neurologic impairment.
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