40hz Gamma Wave Therapy for Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline
Last summer, I met a researcher from MIT at TED - Li-Huei Tsai. Her mainstage presentation and the conversation we had after was quite inspiring.
Links to her TED Talk below - TLDW: visual and auditory stimulation at 40hz strengthens Gamma brain waves which activate glial cells which in turn help remove tau tangles and amyloid plaques from the brain. This is important because tau tangles and amyloid plaques are key waste products that contribute to Alzheimer’s. Gamma wave therapy also stimulates brain blood flow and brain mass retention vs control in mice and the early data in humans is promising as well.
More here:
Li-Huei Tsai TED Mainstage Presentation (12min)
The Research Paper behind the Presentation
https://tsailaboratory.mit.edu/news/ (Dr. Tsai’s lab at MIT)
Andrew Huberman 40Hz Summary (7min)
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- Gamma Wave Brain Waves are particularly important for learning and sensory information integration
- When gamma waves weaken risk of Alzheimer’s increases
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- Can we artificially amplify 40hz Brain Waves? Yes
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- Can we impact Alzheimer’s by stimulating gamma waves? Yes
- Yes! Via light and sound stimulation we can increase the power and synchrony of Gamma Waves across the brain
- The effect reaches key parts of the brain the pre-frontal cortex (executive function) and hippocampus where we create memories
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- Mice exposed to this therapy had lower amyloid plack and less tau tangles hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.
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- Why Gamma Stimulation works is still being studied. Key observations:
- Micro Glia removes waste from the brain. They change their form and activities after gamma wave stimulation
- Blood Vessels increase blood flow with GWT
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- Mice are nice but People are the key. Human trials have started.
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- Gamma Wave Therapy shows increased brain synchronicity and preservation of Brain Volume and improvement in functioning in human studies. Early days.
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- Lots of evidence that it is safe and well-tolerated
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- New study to see if GWT can prevent Alzheimer’s
