Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Sound Therapy Shows Promise in Alzheimer's Treatment
Scientists have found that a special sound frequency, 40 Hz, might help the brain get rid of harmful substances linked to Alzheimer's disease.
They tested this on aged monkeys and found that after listening to the sound for an hour each day for a week, the monkeys had higher levels of these harmful substances in their cerebrospinal fluid.
This effect lasted for about five weeks.
The researchers think this could be a new way to treat Alzheimer's without using drugs.
Earlier studies on mice also showed that 40 Hz light and sound could reduce these harmful substances and improve brain function.
This gives hope for future treatments for Alzheimer's and other similar diseases.
A new study suggests that 40 Hz sound waves may help clear beta-amyloid plaques from the brain, offering a potential non-invasive treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the Kunming Institute of Zoology found that daily exposure to 40 Hz sound for a week increased beta-amyloid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of aged rhesus monkeys by approximately 206% for Aβ42 and 201% for Aβ40.
The effects of the sound treatment persisted for about five weeks after the treatment ended.
Previous studies have shown that 40 Hz light and sound can reduce amyloid levels and improve cognitive function in mice.
Alzheimer's and related diseases are a major public health challenge, with an estimated 139 million people worldwide expected to be affected by dementia by 2050.
- Who
- Researchers at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- What
- A study on the effects of 40 Hz sound waves on the brain in aged rhesus monkeys
- When
- The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Where
- The research was conducted at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Why
- To explore the potential of non-invasive physical therapies for Alzheimer's disease
- Study Focus
- Effects of 40 Hz sound waves on the brain
- Research Institution
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Subjects
- Nine aged rhesus macaques (26-31 years old)
- Treatment Duration
- One hour daily for a week
- Key Finding
- 206% increase in Aβ42 and 201% increase in Aβ40 in cerebrospinal fluid
- Duration of Effect
- Approximately five weeks after treatment
- Potential Impact
- Non-invasive treatment for Alzheimer's disease
- Future Implications
- Potential reduction in amyloid plaque buildup and cognitive function improvement