Menands

Researchers are evaluating the effects of rhythmic light therapy on people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease who have sleep disturbances. The study investigates how different light conditions that either stimulate the circadian system or serve as placebos affect cognition and sleep over time. This is a phase 2 study focusing on the ability of specific light therapies to entrain gamma oscillations and the circadian system in these patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: a placebo light with a 40 hertz flicker, a placebo light with a random flicker, a circadian-effective narrowband blue light with a 40 hertz flicker, or a circadian-effective narrowband blue light with a random flicker. After a baseline week, they will use their assigned lighting condition for two hours each morning for eight weeks. This will be followed by a four-week washout period, after which final assessments will be conducted. The placebo lights use narrowband red light, while the active lights use narrowband blue light peaking at 470 nanometers. During the study, participants will complete assessments weekly for eight weeks, except for two specific questionnaires administered at different times. Cognitive function will be measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at baseline, week 9, and week 14. Sleep quality and other related measures will also be tracked. Researchers will monitor changes in cognition and sleep disturbance to understand the impact of the light therapies. The total study duration includes the baseline, treatment, washout, and final assessment periods.