Cognito Therapeutics is developing a device-driven approach to Alzheimer’s treatment.

Based on research by MIT’s Ed Boyden, globally recognized for his work in optogenetics,  and Li-Hue Tsai, director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, flickering-light stimulation has been used to  restore gamma oscillation in the brains of the mice.  This activated microglia cells to remove beta amyloid plaques.

The method has not yet been tested in humans, but shows promise as a non invasive alternative to current treatments, known for multiple side effects and limited benefits.

The company has filed patents covering the use of the technology in several neurological disorders.

ApplySci’s 6th  Digital Health + NeuroTech Silicon Valley  –  February 7-8 2017 @ Stanford   |   Featuring:   Vinod Khosla – Tom Insel – Zhenan Bao – Phillip Alvelda – Nathan Intrator – John Rogers – Roozbeh Ghaffari –Tarun Wadhwa – Eythor Bender – Unity Stoakes – Mounir Zok – Krishna Shenoy – Karl Deisseroth – Shahin Farshchi – Casper de Clercq – Mary Lou Jepsen – Vivek Wadhwa – Dirk Schapeler – Miguel Nicolelis