MIT News breed · Science

Pink Noise Bursts May Enhance Brain Waste Clearance During Sleep

MIT researchers have discovered that short bursts of pink noise during sleep can strengthen cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) waves, potentially improving the brain's waste removal process.

During sleep, waves of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) help clear waste products from the brain. A new study shows that exposing sleeping individuals to brief, gentle "pink noise" sounds can amplify these CSF waves by increasing the amplitude of slow electrical waves in the brain.

Researchers are exploring if this enhanced CSF flow could improve cognitive function, memory, or slow neurodegenerative diseases linked to protein buildup, such as amyloid beta.

The study involved 14 healthy volunteers. By measuring EEG activity and using fMRI to monitor CSF flow, researchers developed a method to deliver pink noise stimuli at the precise peak of slow brain waves without waking participants.

The pink noise, described as a balanced, gentle sound, was found to increase both slow electrical waves and CSF waves during sleep. fMRI studies indicated that slow waves act as a pump, driving CSF out of the brain.

The team hopes to investigate if enhanced CSF flow can lead to more restorative sleep, particularly for individuals with insomnia. They also plan to explore its potential benefits for diseases like Alzheimer's, which are associated with the buildup of harmful proteins.

One researcher, Joshua Levitt, has co-founded a company aiming to develop a home-use device, like a headband, to deliver these auditory stimuli and increase CSF flow.

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