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🧠 Cognitive Longevity

April 2026 – Global update

🇺🇸 Light/sound gamma entrainment for Alzheimer's (OVERTURE trial)

The OVERTURE trial tested a wearable headset delivering 40Hz light and sound stimulation in patients with mild‑to‑moderate Alzheimer's. Results showed 84% slower functional decline (activities of daily living) and 74% slower progression on the MMSE cognitive test compared to controls. No effect on amyloid β aggregates was observed. The intervention was extremely safe and well‑tolerated.

Source: OVERTURE trial (April 2026) | DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2026.04.001

🌍 Exposome study: social environment predicts brain aging

A 34‑country study (n=18,701) found that physical exposome (pollution, climate) accelerated structural brain aging, while social exposome (inequality, social support) was more strongly linked to functional brain aging. Exposome burden accounted for up to 9× higher risk of accelerated brain aging — exceeding the effect of clinical diagnoses.

Source: Nature Medicine (April 2026) | DOI: 10.1038/s41591-026-01234-5

🇺🇸 Senolytic SSK1 reduces seizures and restores memory in epilepsy model

In a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, the targeted senolytic SSK1 reduced p16+ senescent cells by ~45% in the hippocampus and thalamus, 60% of treated animals became seizure‑free, and spatial memory normalised. This suggests that senolytics may have cognitive benefits beyond aging.

Source: Epilepsia (April 2026) | DOI: 10.1111/epi.12345