Using pink noise to improve memory in Alzheimer's patients

Effects of Auditory Brain Stimulation by "Pink Noise" on Memory Capacities in Alzheimer's Disease: Proof of Concept Study

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Tours · NCT04570761

This study tests if listening to pink noise can help improve memory in people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Tours Academic / other
Locations1 site (Tours)
Trial IDNCT04570761 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of auditory brain stimulation using pink noise on memory consolidation in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The approach is based on the premise that sleep enhances memory consolidation, and pink noise may facilitate this process. Participants will include both individuals diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's and healthy volunteers matched by age and sex. The study aims to determine whether this novel stimulation method can strengthen memory capacities in patients with neurodegenerative conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals over 50 years old with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and regular sleep patterns.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or significant psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new therapeutic option to enhance memory function in Alzheimer's patients.

How similar studies have performed: While studies have shown pink noise to be effective in healthy individuals, this application in Alzheimer's patients is novel and untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria common to all participants:

* Age\> 50 years at the inclusion
* Patient with regular sleep patterns
* Patient having given written consent
* Patient affiliated to a social security regimen

Inclusion criteria for subjects with Alzheimer's disease:

* Patient with a beginning Alzheimer's disease defined according to the criteria of the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association or carriers of a prodromal Alzheimer's disease defined according to the criteria of the International Working Group IWG-2; the diagnosis must be supported by brain imaging and a blood test carried out in routine care
* MMSE score ≥ 24

Inclusion criteria for healthy volunteers:

* Absence of neurodegenerative pathologies
* Matched in age (+/- 5 years) and in sex with a patient

Non-inclusion criteria common to all participants:

* Psychiatric pathologies (except depression or anxiety disorders stabilized for more than 3 months)
* History of pathology which may have consequences on cognitive functioning and / or sleep: brain tumor, constituted stroke, epilepsy, head trauma (with clinical or parenchymal sequelae objectified on brain imagery), brain surgery
* Any significant comorbidity likely to constitute a confounding factor according to the clinician
* Psychotropic treatments introduced or modified \<3 months before inclusion
* Hypnotic and / or sedative treatments
* Chronic consumption of alcohol or drugs
* Legal incapacity and / or other circumstance rendering the patient unable to understand the nature, objective or consequences of the study
* Major under guardianship or curatorship
* Patient not French-speaking by birth or illiterate

Exclusion Criteria common to all participants:

* Sleep disorders defined by a score\> 5 on the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI)
* A score\> 10 on the Epworth sleepiness index

Where this trial is running

Tours

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Alzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.