# The Use of Rhythmic Light  Therapy to Entrain Gamma Oscillations and the Circadian System in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)

> **NIH NIH R01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2021 · $792,504

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Data suggest that approximately 40% of the estimated 5.5 million older (65+) Americans with Alzheimer's dis-
ease (AD) suffer from severe dysfunction of sleep-wake and circadian systems In people with mild cognitive
impairment (MCI), an “at risk” or potential prodromal stage of dementia, sleep-wake disturbance is evident in up
to 60% of patients. Our team has published various studies showing the positive impact on sleep, mood, and
behavior of a tailored lighting intervention (TLI) designed to promote circadian entrainment in persons with Alz-
heimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). In addition, coherent 40 Hz neural oscillation, shown to be
important for healthy brain activity, is reduced in those with neurodegenerative diseases. Research showed that
exposure to 40 Hz rhythmic light (RL) decreased Aβ levels as well as plaque pathology in the visual cortex in a
6-month-old AD transgenic mouse model. In addition, we recently collected and published on exciting pilot data
showing that light modulating at 40 Hz increases gamma power and gamma/theta coupling, both associated with
increase in memory and cognition. The main goal of this proposal is to investigate the impact of a combination
of light for promoting circadian entrainment and light for promoting gamma oscillation entrainment on sleep and
cognition in MCI and mild AD patients living in the community. In Aim 1, we will investigate how light deliver-
ing 40 Hz to promote gamma wave entrainment (rhythmic light [RL]), affects subjective sleep and cogni-
tion in a controlled laboratory study. A lab study will allow us to collect electroencephalogram (EEG)
data, perform cognitive tests, and observe the response in those with MCI compared to a healthy control
group (HC). In Aim 2, we will deliver, in a randomized, placebo-controlled field study, the combined in-
tervention, delivering light for circadian entrainment (TLI) and light for gamma power entrainment (40 Hz
RL), for a period of 8 weeks and measure nocturnal melatonin (a marker of circadian entrainment), sleep,
and cognition. We hypothesize that better sleep resulting from the combined intervention (TLI + RL) will
increase nighttime melatonin levels and improve cognition in MCI and mild AD patients living in the
community. We will, for the first time, demonstrate that a practical, effective, tailored, nonpharmacological in-
tervention using light that promotes circadian entrainment (TLI) and delivers neurostimulation (40 Hz RL) can be
used to improve sleep and cognition in older adults with MCI and mild AD living at home or in independent or
assisted living facilities. This approach has the potential to thereby mitigate significant financial and social bur-
dens, including decreasing cognitive deterioration in this population. Moreover, given recent evidence linking the
importance of sleep in the development of AD, the proposed studies can have a significant impact on the pro-
gression of the disease MCI and...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10234760
- **Project number:** 1R01AG072762-01
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Mariana Gross Figueiro
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $792,504
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10234760

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10234760, The Use of Rhythmic Light  Therapy to Entrain Gamma Oscillations and the Circadian System in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) (1R01AG072762-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10234760. Licensed CC0.

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