Entrain in the Brain with Music and Synchronized Light to Improve Memory and Preserve Cognitive Function - Phase I Clinical Trial

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by jay

Worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease remains high, while pharmacological treatments have limited impact and carry meaningful risks. This study develops a non-invasive home-based intervention that rehabilitates theta (4–8 Hz) and gamma (30–50 Hz) neural oscillations using self-selected music combined with synchronized light pulses. A Phase I clinical trial in mild cognitive impairment and early-stage AD compares gMBI with a health-education podcast control, using pre/post EEG, MRI, DTI, fMRI, blood draws, and cognitive testing. After 8 weeks, neural oscillations strengthen, hippocampal activation increases, and memory and cognition are better preserved in the treatment group.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study Rationale

Limitations of pharmacological interventions

Intervention Design

Theta and gamma neural oscillation rehabilitation

Home-based synchronized music and light

Phase I Clinical Trial

Participants: MCI and early-stage AD

Control condition: health education podcast

Outcome Measures

EEG, MRI, DTI, fMRI, blood draws, cognition tests

Results and Ongoing Recruitment

Compliance, neural and hippocampal changes, cognitive preservation

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1285 Biosciences, Willington, Connecticut, United States, 3. Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Worldwide at least 57 million individuals are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and by 2050 nearly 13 million Americans are projected to have AD. Pharmacological interventions have not been successful in producing significant effects on memory, cognition and behavior, and all pharmaceuticals carry some risk of potentially dangerous side effects. Recent research suggests that rehabilitation of neural oscillations supporting memory and cognition may provide effective treatments for neurological disorders such as AD. However, there are significant challenges in developing non-invasive, feasible, effective and scalable methods for human intervention. We have developed an intervention to rehabilitate theta (4-8Hz) and gamma (30-50Hz) neural oscillations using self-selected music and synchronized light pulses. We are currently running a Phase I Clinical Trial (NCT05984524) in individuals with Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage AD. Our gamma-enhanced music-based intervention (gMBI) is administered in the patient’s home 30 minutes/day for 8 weeks; the control intervention includes listening to a health education podcast (the health-education intervention, HEI). Before and after the therapy patients undergo a battery of tests, including electroencephalography (EEG), structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), functional MRI (fMRI), blood draws, and tests of cognition and memory. Patient usage data in both conditions is monitored. We find that patients comply better with the treatment protocol than with the control protocol. After 8 weeks, neural oscillations are strengthened, hippocampal activation increases, memory improves, and cognitive function is preserved in the treatment group relative to controls. Patient recruitment is ongoing. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4286 ENTRAINING THE BRAIN WITH MUSIC AND SYNCHRONIZED LIGHT TO IMPROVE MEMORY AND PRESERVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION Edward Large1, Ji Chul Kim2, and Psyche Loui3, 1. Oscillo Biosciences, Storrs, Connecticut, United States, 2. Oscillo

FAQs

Why are non-invasive interventions being explored for Alzheimer’s disease?

Pharmacological treatments have not produced significant effects on memory, cognition, and behavior, and they can cause potentially dangerous side effects.

How does the music-and-light intervention work in this study?

The approach targets theta (4–8 Hz) and gamma (30–50 Hz) neural oscillations using self-selected music together with synchronized light pulses.

What tests are conducted before and after the 8-week therapy?

Participants undergo EEG, structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, functional MRI, blood draws, and cognitive and memory assessments before and after the intervention.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by jay