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​MIKE MCRAE
15 MAR 2019
Clumps of harmful proteins that interfere with brain functions have been partially cleared in mice using nothing but light and sound.
Research led by MIT has found strobe lights and a low pitched buzz can be used to recreate brain waves lost in the disease, which in turn remove plaque and improve cognitive function in mice engineered to display Alzheimer's-like behavior.
It's a little like using light and sound to trigger their own brain waves to help fight the disease.
This technique hasn't been clinically trialed in humans as yet, so it's too soon to get excited - brain waves are known to work differently in humans and mice.
But, if replicated, these early results hint at a possible cheap and drug-free way to treat the common form of dementia.
So how does it work?
Advancing a previous study that showed flashing light 40 times a second into the eyes of engineered mice treated their version of Alzheimer's disease, researchers added sound of a similar frequency and found it dramatically improved their results.
"When we combine visual and auditory stimulation for a week, we see the engagement of the prefrontal cortex and a very dramatic reduction of amyloid," says Li-Huei Tsai, one of the researchers from MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory.
It's not the first study to investigate the role sound can play in clearing the brain of the tangles and clumps of tau and amyloid proteins at least partially responsible for the disease.
Previous studies showed bursts of ultrasound make blood vessels leaky enough to allow powerful treatments to slip into the brain, while also encouraging the nervous system's waste-removal experts, microglia, to pick up the pace.
Several years ago, Tsai discovered light flickering at a frequency of about 40 flashes a second had similar benefits in mice engineered to build up amyloid in their brain's nerve cells.
"The result was so mind-boggling and so robust, it took a while for the idea to sink in, but we knew we needed to work out a way of trying out the same thing in humans," Tsai told Helen Thomson at Nature at the time.
The only problem was this effect was confined to visual parts of the brain, missing key areas that contribute to the formation and retrieval of memory.
While the method's practical applications looked a little limited, the results pointed to a way oscillations could help the brain recover from the grip of Alzheimer's disease.
As our brain's neurons transmit signals they also generate electromagnetic waves that help keep remote regions in sync - so-called 'brain waves'.
One such set of oscillations are defined as gamma-frequencies, rippling across the brain at around 30 to 90 waves per second. These brain waves are most active when we're paying close attention, searching our memories in order to make sense of what's going on.
Tsai's previous study had suggested these gamma waves are impeded in individuals with Alzheimer's, and might play a pivotal role in the pathology itself.
Light was just one way to trick the parts of the brain into humming in the key of gamma. Sounds can also manage this in other areas.
Instead of the high pitched scream of ultrasound, Tsui used a much lower droning noise of just 40 Hertz, a sound only just high enough for humans to hear.
Exposing their mouse subjects to just one hour of this monotonous buzz every day for a week led to a significant drop in the amount of amyloid build up in the auditory regions, while also stimulating those microglial cells and blood vessels.
"What we have demonstrated here is that we can use a totally different sensory modality to induce gamma oscillations in the brain," says Tsai.
As an added bonus, it also helped clear the nearby hippo-campus – an important section associated with memory.
The effects weren't just evident in the test subjects' brain chemistry. Functionally, mice exposed to the treatment performed better in a range of cognitive tasks.
Adding the light therapy from the previous study saw an even more dramatic effect, clearing plaques in a number of areas across the brain, including in the prefrontal cortex. Those trash-clearing microglia also went to town.
"These microglia just pile on top of one another around the plaques," says Tsai.
Discovering new mechanisms in the way nervous systems clear waste and synchronise activity is a huge step forward in the development of treatments for all kinds of neurological disorders.
Translating discoveries like this to human brains will take more work, especially when there are potential contrasts in how gamma waves appear in mice and human Alzheimer's brains.
So far early testing for safety has shown the process seems to have no clear side effects.
This research was published in Cell.
 

​Finding a good hypnotherapist can seem like a difficult task as it isn't a profession that is promoted as well as it deserves to be in the media. Some clients who go don't admit to it and there are some deceptive hypnotists who promise instant results out there. While that may be a bit disconcerting, remember that hypnosis was approved by the America Medical Association in 1958 and prior to that people had been using clinical hypnotherapy for decades and there are many qualified hypnotherapist professionals that can help you.

Any kind of medical or therapeutic relationship requires you to vet the professional you're seeking help from. You wouldn't randomly stroll into the first doctor, psychologist, or dentist's office you see, right? Then you shouldn't for a hypnotherapist either. Not all professionals are made equal and even a great one may not have the background you need or be the best hypnotherapist for you.

So, if needing help kicking a smoking habit or with weight loss how do you find reputable hypnotherapy in Spokane? Let's cover some helpful tips that can spare you from random Google searches and help you to vet credible hypnosis centers in Spokane, WA.

State Registration is required by all Hypnotherapists in Washington State

Yes, hypnotherapists need to be registered and there are additional professional organizations that really help you discover who you are dealing with. You really want to keep an eye out for state registrations and other certifications. Make sure they are registered to practice hypnotherapy in Washington state and certified in the field of hypnosis, specifically. Professional organizations like the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) or American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) would have rosters you could check, just look for hypnosis centers in Spokane, WA or hypnotherapists around Spokane. If looking for a specific treatment checkout their directories, as an example, stop smoking hypnosis listed in or near Spokane.

Another thing to consider is how much time the hypnotherapist has been in the field. You don't want to settle for someone who has only read and taken tests about using weight loss hypnosis, but someone who can bring years of experience to the treatment. You want to be sure that the hypnotherapist has experience relevant to whatever you're wanting to get through or overcome. When reading through the ASCH or ACHE directories, take a look at what the hypnotherapist specializes in and for how long, they'd be a better fit for your problem and would be a great shortcut in finding a good hypnotherapist in Spokane.

Avoid the inexperienced Spokane Hypnotist

A great way to root out phonies or hypnotherapists who just don't have a good skillset is to avoid those promising a quick fix like  "1-week weight loss hypnosis". They're most likely over selling you and many websites will promote only the idea of single-session remedy. Remember change takes time and it’s best to look for those that offer longer term programs in addition to a single session.

Finding a good hypnotherapist in Spokane means finding a professional that is there to help identify the root of your habits rather than simply focus on the symptoms. Good hypnotherapists place emphasis on behavior change coaching to assist you in creating lasting change. But, also remember that hypnotherapy is not like traditional therapy nor is it a replacement for it, they're different professions. A good hypnotherapist asks your mind to help uncover the behavior patterns that support your non-productive habits. This approach frees us over time from the old stories that operate on a mostly subconscious level in support of this problematic behavior.
If you're concerned about finding hypnosis centers in Spokane, WA then ask a friend or your doctor for a referral. Professionals in all fields tend to network, so don't be afraid to ask for a recommendation. You may have cut out searching altogether with one question. Are you ready now to find a good hypnotherapist in Spokane?

Hypnotherapy Consultations and Specialties

Alright, so you've combed the directories and think you found a good hypnotherapist in Spokane. They have the proper credentials, licenses and come recommended through ratings or referrals. Before settling in for treatment, get an in-person or phone consultation first. Any good hypnotherapist would be proud to share their experience and successes with you, it's a chance to show off their resume so-to-speak.

During the consultation take the opportunity to ask what behavior or problem they have the most experience treating successfully. No professional specializes in everything, ever notice the many kinds of therapists and medical doctors? A jack of all trades can only help a little bit in every area and if you're looking to mend a specific behavior then you want a hypnotherapist who has extensive knowledge as well as a background well-versed in your problem.

Listen to them when they answer you though. If they're giving you vague answers or claim to have been successful with every problem under the sun, then they're not being honest. No kind of therapy works every time and for everyone. Any good hypnotherapist or professional for that matter will be truthful regarding the limitations of their treatment, even recommending that you not go through with what they have to offer.

Fight for A Good Hypnotherapist

It's never easy looking for help with an issue, whether it's medical or behavioral, but it's important to shop around carefully. Hypnotherapy can be a great way to kick a smoking habit or an extra weapon in the fight for weight loss, even to move a phobia into nonexistence. Invest in yourself and choose a hypnotherapist who can work with you to solve the problem your facing. Don't expect a quick fix or settle for a sham-solution. You came here because you were wondering how to, find a good hypnotherapist in Spokane, these three tips will help you avoid the frauds and pitfalls of your search.