Optoceutics Uses Light Stimulation to Heal the Brain
In a revolutionary approach to brain health, scientists have discovered that precisely timed light pulses could hold the key to combating cognitive decline. Emerging from groundbreaking research in a collaboration between UC Berkeley and DTU (Danish Technical University), Optoceutics is pioneering a 40Hz multi-sensory technology that promises to reconnect and strengthen neural pathways.
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Imagine a flickering light that could heal your brain.
Lights flicker everywhere in our lives – from cozy Christmas decorations to annoying office fluorescents. But what if a specific type of light flicker could do something extraordinary? What if it could actually strengthen neural pathways in the brain and potentially combat devastating conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia?
This isn't science fiction. This is the promising reality that Optoceutics is bringing to market.
Origin Story
The journey began in 2016 following a published study in Nature. Using mice with Alzheimer's disease pathology, researchers made a remarkable discovery. By administering light at a specific 40-hertz rhythm, they observed enhanced learning and memory, reduced brain atrophy, and lower levels of Alzheimer's-associated proteins.
These results weren't a one-off success. Multiple universities and research organizations replicated the findings, consistently showing the therapy's potential to reduce amyloid and tau tangles – hallmark indicators of Alzheimer's and dementia.
A unique collaboration emerged, bringing together top minds from two prestigious institutions: UC Berkeley and the Danish Technical University. This team, led by Marcus Carstensen, PhD, and Mai Nguyen, PhD, saw the potential to transform this scientific discovery into a tangible solution for cognitive health. Their collective expertise and shared vision gave birth to Optoceutics.
"Optoceutics is more than a company to me – it’s a deeply personal mission inspired by my father’s battle with cognitive decline,” says Nguyen. “Witnessing the heartbreak of his fading memories and the toll it took on our family drove me to co-found the company. With EVY, I wanted to create a science-backed, compassionate solution that empowers families to hold onto moments of connection and clarity. It’s about giving others the chance to preserve those precious memories for as long as possible because I know how deeply they matter."
Under the Hood
Enter “EVY” – Optoceutics’ multi-sensory platform. Under the hood, EVY LIGHT® and EVY INSIGHT, work together to deliver a unique combination of 40Hz light and sound stimulation. The shoebox-sized EVY LIGHT non-invasively brings brainwaves into synchrony, a process called entrainment. The process can be effortlessly integrated into your routine – just position the device within three feet of your face at a comfortable angle, whether at your desk or during downtime.
Complementing this, EVY INSIGHT offers 40Hz sound stimulation for auditory engagement and includes app-based tools for tracking mood, sleep, focus, energy, and memory. Jesse Gomez, the company's Chief Revenue Officer, knows the device intimately – both professionally and personally. "It's been a game changer for me," he shares. "I have ADHD, so I take medication to focus, and the light has dramatically reduced my dependency on medication."
For Gomez, turning on the EVY LIGHT is similar to drinking a cup of coffee – an instant boost of focus and energy.
Developing the device wasn't straightforward. One major challenge was making the 40Hz light tolerable. Typically, such rapid flickering causes dizziness and nausea. Optoceutics solved this by developing and patenting what they call an "invisible spectral flicker" – a light pulse so subtle it's barely perceptible.
The device isn't a miracle cure, Gomez emphasizes. It requires commitment – at least one hour of daily use. And while it shows promise for Alzheimer’s, it's currently marketed as a wellness device while simultaneously pursuing FDA medical device approval.
The pricing reflects their commitment to quality. At around $2,000, it's more expensive than other light therapy devices. But this is intentional. As Gomez explains, "We want to make it clear that we've developed a robust, highly complex piece of hardware and software built to medical device standards."
Next Steps
At its core, Optoceutics is pioneering a new understanding of how light and sound interact with our biology. The science is straightforward yet profound: 40Hz light and sound stimulation excite gamma brain waves, essentially "reconnecting" neurons that might be withering due to disease or age.
"I think we really are at this critical inflection point in understanding how light impacts the brain," Gomez reflects. "It's not that phototherapy is new. And in many ways, it makes sense that light would have this kind of therapeutic impact on our biology."
For Gomez, this mission is deeply personal. "I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer's," he shares. "He was my personal hero growing up. And it didn't just impact him. It has a devastating impact on the family as they start to lose who you are."
Today the company is in the late stages of their phase II clinical trial and is carefully watching other players in this space, like Cognito, which is slightly ahead of them in terms of clinical trials. Their research could significantly influence Optoceutics' path forward.
Currently, Optoceutics targets individuals with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. They are finding that many customers have already consulted neurologists, who often approve the device given its strong scientific backing and essentially zero side effects.
While not a cure-all, EVY represents something profound: hope. Hope that we might one day understand and combat devastating neurological conditions. Hope that something as simple as light and sound stimulation could help preserve our most precious asset – our minds.
As research continues, Optoceutics stands at the forefront, transforming a seemingly simple concept – a flickering light coupled with sound – into a potential tool for brain health and healing.
Join us in welcoming the Optoceutics team to StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community.
Connect with Optoceutics via email
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Published: Nov 21, 2024