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Our Science

Our science

Spectris AD, our investigational, non-invasive therapy delivers proprietary visual and auditory stimulation designed to preserve brain structure and function, both critical to promoting brain health, cognition, and daily function.

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Continuing research has identified new treatment targets in Alzheimer’s disease

With continued scientific research, we now understand that undisrupted neuronal activity is critical for the preservation of brain health.
 
A specific type of neuronal activity, known as gamma waves, promotes gene and protein expression to preserve cognition and function. In Alzheimer’s patients, gamma waves are altered, indicating impairment in normal brain function.1

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What are gamma waves?
Whenever we experience a thought or a memory, neurons communicate through electric signals in the nervous system creating rhythmic brain activity known as “brain waves”. When groups of neurons start firing at the same time, distinct brain waves form at various ranges. One such range is gamma waves, which are associated with learning and memory. When gamma waves are firing with strength and synchrony, they activate gene and protein expression across critical brain components.
Cognito’s treatment is designed to evoke gamma wave activity in the brain
Spectris AD is designed to evoke gamma oscillation in the brain using non-invasive visual and auditory stimulation, with the potential to activate myelin and synaptic gene and protein expression essential for brain health.
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Increased synaptic gene and protein expression observed
Synapses are essential connections that the brain uses to transmit and process information between neurons. In Alzheimer's disease, the expression of genes and proteins responsible for these critical structures are reduced, leading to a loss in synaptic structure and function.2
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Increased myelin gene and protein expression observed
Myelin is a protective layer that insulates nerves and facilitates electrical communication between neurons. Because loss of myelin is linked to greater cognitive decline, it is essential for brain health.2
Designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease non-invasively, in the home
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Preservation of brain volume and structure
Alzheimer’s patients experience loss of brain volume and structure at a much higher rate compared to healthy aging.3 There is a strong relationship between the progressive loss of brain structure and functional disability in Alzheimer’s disease.4 Patients in our feasibility trial experienced significant preservation of brain volume as measured by MRI when compared to the control group.
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Preservation of cognition and function
Patients in our feasibility trial experienced significant slowing of decline in cognition and daily function compared to the control group.3
Treatment that fits into patient’s lives
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Strong Benefit/Risk Profile
Over 100,000 treatment sessions were completed across multiple clinical studies with no unexpected serious treatment-limiting adverse events reported.
Confirmation & tolerance
Light and sound intensity are tailored to each patient based on their tolerability and response to stimulation observed through EEG evaluation.
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Flexible & convenient
Patients receive treatment in the form of a wearable device for one hour each day, wherever and whenever it is most convenient.
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Publications
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June 11, 2025
Time saved in activities of daily living and whole-brain volume
April 15, 2024
Cognito Therapeutics has positive non-invasive neuromod results
March 5, 2024
Safety, tolerability, and efficacy estimate of evoked gamma oscillation in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
January 2, 2024
Noninvasive Gamma Sensory Stimulation May Reduce White Matter and Myelin Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease
December 1, 2022
Gamma frequency sensory stimulation in mild probable Alzheimer’s dementia patients: Results of feasibility and pilot studies
June 11, 2025
Time saved in activities of daily living and whole-brain volume
April 15, 2024
Cognito Therapeutics has positive non-invasive neuromod results
March 5, 2024
Safety, tolerability, and efficacy estimate of evoked gamma oscillation in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
January 2, 2024
Noninvasive Gamma Sensory Stimulation May Reduce White Matter and Myelin Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease
December 1, 2022
Gamma frequency sensory stimulation in mild probable Alzheimer’s dementia patients: Results of feasibility and pilot studies
Citations

1Traikapi A and Konstantinou N (2021) Gamma Oscillations in Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Potential Therapeutic Role. Front. Syst. Neurosci. 15:782399. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.782399

2Hajos et al. (2024). Sensory gamma stimulation preserves functional and structural outcomes in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease: Results from the Overture clinical trial. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1343588.

3Frisoni, G., Fox, N., Jack, C. et al. The clinical use of structural MRI in Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 6, 67–77 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2009.215  

4Sapkota S, Ramirez J, Yhap V, Masellis M, Black SE; Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Brain atrophy trajectories predict differential functional performance in Alzheimer's disease: Moderations with apolipoprotein E and sex. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2021 Oct 14;13(1):e12244. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12244. PMID: 34692981; PMCID: PMC8515221