Summary
The article discusses the innovative SoundMind project, led by Dr. Alexander Khalil and Dr. Gráinne McLoughlin, which explores the use of Augmented Audio Reality (AAR) to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The project was inspired by Khalil’s experience with his father, who had dementia. Khalil developed an AAR algorithm that subtly alters background noise to induce neuromodulation—a process that helps rewire the brain’s electrical rhythms. Supported by the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute, SoundMind aims to create wearable technologies that could slow or even reverse Alzheimer’s progression by continuously delivering therapeutic audio stimuli. Initial findings are promising, and future plans include clinical trials and potential applications for broader conditions and devices.