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Behavioural Intervention

Gamma Light and Sound Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Li Huei Tsai, PhD
Research Sponsored by Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 65 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up at baseline, month 3, and month 6 visits during mri sessions

Summary

This trial tests a light & sound device that boosts gamma waves to reduce toxic proteins in Alzheimer's patients & improve memory. 50 participants will use it daily for 6-12 months & have in-person visits to measure changes.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals aged 50-100 with mild Alzheimer's disease, having an MMSE score of 19-26. They must be able to give consent or have a representative do so and complete the first month at their primary residence. Excluded are those without healthcare, on certain Alzheimer's medications, unstable psychiatric treatments, seizure history within two years, significant suicide risk, behavioral issues affecting compliance, recent stroke or eye surgery candidates.
What is being tested?
The study tests a device called GENUS that uses light and sound at 40Hz aimed to stimulate brain waves in people with mild Alzheimer's disease. Participants will use this device daily for six months at home while undergoing various assessments including EEGs, MRIs, cognitive tests and questionnaires to evaluate its effects on brain function and memory.
What are the potential side effects?
Since the intervention involves non-invasive sensory stimulation using light and sound rather than medication or invasive procedures, side effects may be minimal but could include discomfort from light or sound exposure.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~at baseline, month 3, and month 6 visits during mri sessions
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and at baseline, month 3, and month 6 visits during mri sessions for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Baseline incidence of stimulation-related adverse symptoms and side effects as assessed by post-stimulation questionnaires
Change in stimulation-related adverse symptoms and side effects as assessed by post-stimulation questionnaires
Changes in functional brain connectivity as measured by changes in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals on functional MRI scans
+6 more
Secondary study objectives
Changes in cognitive performance as assessed by scores on an Alzheimer's cognitive testing battery
Changes in sleep/wake patterns, as measured by actigraph watch analyses
Changes in the microbiome as measured by fecal samples

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Alzheimer's Active ArmActive Control1 Intervention
Exposure to active sensory stimulation (40Hz) for 60 minutes daily for the length of the trial (6 months).
Group II: Alzheimer's Control ArmPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Exposure to control stimulation (sham) for 60 minutes daily for the length of the trial (6 months).

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyLead Sponsor
101 Previous Clinical Trials
12,821,975 Total Patients Enrolled
Li Huei Tsai, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Media Library

GENUS device (Behavioural Intervention) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05655195 — N/A
Alzheimer's Disease Research Study Groups: Alzheimer's Active Arm, Alzheimer's Control Arm
Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial 2023: GENUS device Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05655195 — N/A
GENUS device (Behavioural Intervention) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05655195 — N/A
~16 spots leftby Dec 2025