Abstract: Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) pose serious threats to human health due to the lack of effective treatments. Recent studies on modulating abnormal gamma oscillations, particularly at 40 Hz, offer new therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes the advances in 40 Hz sensory stimulation involving light and sound for improving neuropathology and cognitive function in AD, PD, major depressive disorder (MDD), and epilepsy, explores the mechanisms underlying neural synchronization, and evaluates its potential as a non-invasive treatment. Challenges such as optimizing stimulation parameters, addressing individual variability, and ensuring safety are also discussed, along with the necessity for further mechanistic studies and large-scale clinical validation. In conclusion, 40 Hz sensory stimulation shows promise for treating neurological disorders and provides a foundation for advancements in precision medicine and neuromodulation technology.
Key words: 40 Hz light and sound sensory stimulation; gamma oscillations; neural synchronization; neurodegenerative diseases; non-invasive treatment
（Acta Laser Biology Sinica, 2026, 35(2): 168-178）