A Ray of Hope? Stabilizing Cognitive Decline

In 2016, his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and as an incredibly bright individual, her story follows the pattern of those with a high degree of intelligence. The trajectory is that most are able to manage the symptoms of the disease in the beginning; however, they will eventually run out of cognitive capacity and sadly begin a rapid decline. 

This diagnosis hit Terry and his family like a freight train. With no Alzheimer’s cure in sight, Terry decided to start searching for a solution. He came across a study that was being conducted at MIT with 40Hz light, or gamma light therapy. This specific frequency is one of the brain’s natural frequencies and was found to reduce the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain of mammals. Terry wondered if flickering light at 40Hz could have a positive effect on the human brain.

Working with a small team, he quickly built a prototype and began using 40Hz lights at home and observed remarkable results within just a few weeks. Terry and his wife’s doctors noticed outstanding improvement in her condition, and she is now remarkably stable. One of her nurses said, “I’ve been in this business 25 years and I’ve never seen as much language recovery as I’ve seen here”. Her neurologist says that he’s seen virtually no decline over the past year. Terry credits the 40Hz lights for her improvement. He likes to think of 40Hz lights as a vitamin for the brain and keeps a light on his desk at all times. Reactions to 40Hz light therapy are not sudden, but over the course of 6 weeks, users generally report better mood and sleep among other positive effects. 

Terry’s team designed BEACON40® to seamlessly fit in with any lifestyle; the lights are about the size of a small speaker. He recommends using 40Hz light therapy for at least one hour each day, every day. Terry hopes that one day there will be 40Hz light in every home and office.

He recognized the important steps families take after receiving a cognitive decline diagnosis. Terry points out that taking care of yourself is crucial. Getting outside in the sunshine for a walk or going on a bike ride can be an immediate mood-booster. He also emphasizes the importance of a routine. Scheduling activities for yourself and your family can provide a sense of coherence and consistency that is beneficial for everyone. A routine can also eliminate stress, especially during unpredictable times.

He likes to think of 40Hz lights as a vitamin for the brain and keeps a light on his desk at all times.

Additionally, Terry suggests staying connected to friends and family. Although the pandemic has put a strain on gatherings and travel, communication is still vital. Terry says phone calls, video chats, or even a picture-postcard are great ways to maintain interaction and are essential to self-care. 

“Fading Memories: Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support” is a supportive podcast for those caring for a loved one with memory loss with the host, Jennifer Fink, being a caregiver herself. After continuously searching for answers and not finding what she was looking for, she decided to create a community filled with resources, stories, and ideas for those battling Alzheimer’s disease. This podcast tells our stories and the stories of many others caught in the same difficult situation.