Flashing Lights During Sleep: A New Way to Fight Alzheimer's?

Could flashing lights while you sleep help fight dementia like Alzheimer's? Scientists are exploring this idea with a 40 Hz visual stimulation technique. This non-invasive method is being tested during different sleep stages. The goal? To see if it can boost brain activity and potentially slow down the progression of these diseases. In a small study, researchers wanted to check if this approach is practical. They found that flashing lights during sleep could indeed trigger specific brain activity. This activity, called gamma waves, is known to be important for learning and memory. The study showed that these waves were increased in both deep sleep (NREM) and dream sleep (REM) stages. But why would this help? The theory is that Alzheimer's and other dementias may be related to disruptions in these gamma waves. By boosting them during sleep, the idea is to help the brain stay healthier longer. However, this is just a starting point. More research is needed to understand if this method is truly effective and safe. And it's not just about the science. We also need to consider how comfortable and practical this would be for people to use at home.