Gamma sensory entrainment for cognitive improvement in neurodegenerative diseases: opportunities and challenges ahead

Prangya Parimita Sahu; Philip Tseng

doi:10.3389/fnint.2023.1146687

Gamma sensory entrainment for cognitive improvement in neurodegenerative diseases: opportunities and challenges ahead

Front Integr Neurosci. 2023 Apr 17:17:1146687. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1146687. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Prangya Parimita Sahu^{1

2}, Philip Tseng^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Cross College Elite Program, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
⁴ Research Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

Neural oscillations have been categorized into various frequency bands that are mechanistically associated with different cognitive functions. Specifically, the gamma band frequency is widely implicated to be involved in a wide range of cognitive processes. As such, decreased gamma oscillation has been associated with cognitive declines in neurological diseases, such as memory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, studies have attempted to artificially induce gamma oscillations by using 40 Hz sensory entrainment stimulation. These studies reported attenuation of amyloid load, hyper-phosphorylation of tau protein, and improvement in overall cognition in both AD patients and mouse models. In this review, we discuss the advancements in the use of sensory stimulation in animal models of AD and as a therapeutic strategy in AD patients. We also discuss future opportunities, as well as challenges, for using such strategies in other neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases.

Keywords: 40 Hz stimulation; GENUS; brain stimulation; sensory entrainment; visuoauditory stimulation.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This study was supported by funding from Taiwan’s National Sciences and Technology Counsel to PT (MOST 106-2410-H-038-005-MY2, MOST 108-2410-H-038-009, and NSTC 109-2423-H-006-003-MY4).