Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; Chief Executive Officer: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.; referred to as “Shionogi”) has revealed that Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc. (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan; Representative Directors: Yoichi Ochiai and Taiichiro Murakami; referred to as “PxDT”) presented research findings at the academic session hosted by the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) during Neuroscience 2023.
Neuroscience 2023 stands as one of the largest global academic conferences focused on neuroscientific research. The presented research emerges from a collaborative venture between Shionogi, PxDT, which had previously entered a basic agreement for joint research on “Brain Activation and Cognitive Function Improvement through Auditory Stimulation,” and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST; Head Office, Tokyo, Japan; President: Kazuhiko Ishimura).
Prior studies have indicated a reduction in gamma waves among individuals with cognitive impairment. The presentation underscored the potential advantages of aligning gamma waves in the brain through 40Hz sensory stimuli (auditory or visual) to impede cognitive decline and brain volume reduction. However, challenges arose from the monotonous nature of the 40Hz sound used in earlier studies, making it less adaptable for daily use.
In the current study, subjects exposed to specifically processed auditory stimuli, particularly 40Hz amplitude-modulated sounds, exhibited statistically significant stronger synchronization of gamma waves compared to a control group exposed to non-modulated 40Hz low-frequency sounds. This outcome suggests the potential for selecting modulated sounds, like those from television or music, for gamma wave synchronization purposes, opening avenues for clinical applications in dementia prevention in daily life.
Aligned with the shared concept of “Cognitive Function Care Integrated into Daily Life,” Shionogi and PxDT are jointly working on developing “Gamma Wave Sounds” to contribute to cognitive function care. As they continue to gather evidence for “Brain Activation and Cognitive Function Improvement through Auditory Stimulation,” both companies are dedicated to offering innovative solutions addressing challenges in dementia prevention and cognitive function improvement in daily life.
【About Gamma Wave Sounds】 Shionogi and PxDT are engaged in collaborative research to create a novel service focusing on alterations in brain rhythm activity due to sensory stimulation. The joint development, “Gamma Wave Sounds,” aims to modulate everyday sounds, such as those from television and radio, in real-time at 40Hz, facilitating cognitive function care within the daily routine.
