Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease Using Gamma Entrainment
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. Gamma waves are important for memory, and in patients with AD, there are fewer gamma waves in the brain. The Tsai 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. A light and sound device was developed for humans that stimulates the brain at 40Hz that can be used safely at home. The goal of this study is to see if using this device can prevent dementia in people who are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
• Between 55 - 90 years of age, inclusive.
• Immediate family history of Alzheimer's disease.
• Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score of 27 or greater at baseline or expected score range for cognitively normal adjusted for education level.
• Clinical Dementia Rating Global Score of 0 at baseline.
• Delayed Recall score on the Logical Memory IIa subtest of 8 to 15 at baseline or expected score range for cognitively normal adjusted for education level.
• Low serum amyloid levels at baseline.
• Elevated fibrillar amyloid using 11C PiB PET at baseline between 20 - 70 CL.
• Willing and able to undergo MRI brain and PET brain scans.
• Adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow for neuropsychological testing.
⁃ Able to comply with neuropsychological testing and other study procedures in opinion of site PI.
⁃ Willing and able to complete baseline assessments, and willing to participate in 13-month study protocol.
⁃ Willing to provide blood samples at specified timepoints. Willing to consider contributing CSF samples at specified timepoints, if asked.