Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Yoichi Ochiai, Taiichiro Murakami, hereinafter referred to as PxDT), Shionogi & Co., Ltd (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka, Chairman and CEO: Isao Teshirogi, hereinafter referred to as "Shionogi Pharmaceutical"), Shionogi Healthcare Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture President: Satoru Yoshimoto, hereinafter referred to as Shionogi Healthcare), which contributes to society through the provision of healthcare value, and previously announced the joint business alliance *1 of the three companies on World Alzheimer's Day in 2022, is pleased to announce that the Companies will develop efforts to experience "gamma wave sound" that challenges dementia via sound to more people.
Dementia is a disease that has a major impact on society, as it impairs cognitive functions such as memory and learning, language ability, and judgment ability, leading to a decrease in the quality of life (QOL) of individuals, as well as the physical and mental burden on caregivers. The number of elderly people in Japan continues to increase, and the number of people with dementia is expected to increase further as the population ages *2. On the other hand, patient satisfaction with existing treatments is not high *3, and new solutions and innovative approaches are required.
Since 2021, PxDT and Shionogi Pharmaceutical have been engaged in joint research to develop a new service that focuses on changes in brain rhythm activity caused by sensory stimulation *1. "Gamma wave sound," jointly developed by Shionogi Pharmaceutical and PxDT, is a sound that has the potential to be used for cognitive function care while living daily life by modulating common sounds, such as TVs and radios, into sounds with a 40Hz cycle in real time. The frequency of 40 Hz is the same band as the brain wave "gamma wave" that appears when humans are thinking about problem-solving such as memory and reasoning. It has been reported that the specific rhythm activity (gamma wave) of the brain, which is required for exertion, is reduced as one of the characteristics *4. Research results have improved cognitive function in mice by presenting sounds with a 40Hz cycle, and research results suggesting suppression of cognitive deterioration and suppression of brain atrophy have been obtained in clinical trials targeting humans. The sound of the 40Hz cycle is attracting worldwide attention *5. On the other hand, the 40Hz sound used in previous research is a monotonous pulse sound that cannot include audio information, and is difficult to keep listening every day. To solve this problem, Shionogi Pharmaceutical and PxDT have developed "gamma wave sound" using gamma wave modulation technology, a special technology that can modulate sounds such as TVs and radios into sounds with a 40Hz cycle in real time.
PxDT and Shionogi Pharmaceutical have confirmed that "gamma wave sound" causes gamma waves in the human brain, and we will continue to build evidence for "brain activation and cognitive function improvement by sound stimulation." In addition, PxDT, Shionogi Pharmaceutical, and Shionogi Healthcare will work with people who can sympathize with the potential of "gamma wave sound" to have many people listen to gamma wave sound in a wide range of places in society. The Company will challenge dementia with a new approach called sound, and aim to aid society so that it can become the hope of many people as soon as possible.
Reference
1. September 21, 2022 press release
About the conclusion of a business alliance agreement for the start of brain activation business through sound stimulation by three companies, Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc., Shionogi Healthcare, Shionogi Pharmaceutical
2. 2014 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research Special Research Project "Research on Future Estimates of the Elderly Population with Dementia in Japan"
3. Reiwa 2nd Domestic Basic Technology Survey Report "60 Medical Needs Survey on Diseases (6th)" Analysis
4. Herrmann, CS, & Demiralp, T. (2005). Human EEG gamma oscillations in neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical neurophysiology, 116 (12), 2719-2733.
5. Martorell, AJ (2019). Multi-sensory gamma stimulation ameliorates alzheimer's-associated pathology and improves cognition. Cell. 177 (2), 256-271.e22.
Details of "Gamma Wave Sound" initiatives (places where you can experience it)
* "Gamma wave sound" has the characteristic of sounding trembling, although there are individual differences. Please be assured that it is not a malfunction of the speaker or audio equipment. There is a possibility that there will be a difference in how it sounds depending on the environment.
[AEON MALL Yahatahigashi] (Shopping mall)
Contents : Original gamma wave sound is broadcast as background music in the hall.
Location : 2-102, Higashida 3-chome, Yahata Higashi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Date : September 18 (Mon)-September 21 (Thu), 2023
URL : https://yahatahigashi.aeonmall.com/
[Renaissance] (sports club)
Contents : An online event to "challenge dementia with exercise and sound" was held by combining gamma wave sound as background music in the brain activation program "Synapsology", exercise equipment improvement program, and oral function improvement program developed by Renaissance.
Location : Online program for the general public
Date and time : Available from Thursday, September 21, 2023
URL : https://www.s-re.jp/
[Kosugi-yu] (Sento)
Contents : Gamma wave sound modulated from the original sound source "Song for Kosugi Yu" is broadcast as background music in the facility.
Location : 3-32-17 Koenji Kita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Date : September 18 (Mon)-September 24 (Sun), 2023
URL : https://kosugiyu.co.jp/
[Daiichi Kosho x Ryota Kaizo] (karaoke, artist)
Contents : As an event at a care facility, Japan Crown artist Kaizo Ryota sang his debut song "Ai no Katachi" on the theme of dementia with an accompaniment sound that modulated it to a gamma wave sound. In addition, together with Daiichi Kosho's "DK Elder System" (a device that improves the overall function of daily life using communication karaoke DAM), a karaoke experience using gamma wave sound sources will be held with residents.
Location : Sompo Care Lavire Tamagawa (2-13-22 Tamagawa, Ota-ku, Tokyo)
Date : Monday, September 18, 2023 (holiday) 14:00-16 00
URL : https://www.dkkaraoke.co.jp/ https://www.ryota-kaizo.com/
[Mitsui Fudosan Health Management Support Service & well] (Health Management Support Service)
Contents : & well provides employees of introducing companies with unique practical programs and events that lead to "creating opportunities" to change health awareness and behavior and "continuing and becoming a habit". During the & well Walk team competition period, which starts on September 20th (Wednesday), songs processed with gamma wave modulation technology will be distributed, providing an opportunity to enjoy cognitive function care.
Date : September 20 (Wed) -October 3 (Tue), 2023
URL : https://www.andwell.jp/
[Chizaizukan] (Podcast)
Contents : A podcast program created by AI, which generates intellectual property picture books, introduces the details of gamma wave sound, and broadcasts gamma wave sound as program background music.
Date : Available from Friday, September 22, 2023
URL : https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chizai-hunter-org?fbclid=IwAR1EDKD3i2eVnxCLLGI98MKcIfyN43Hexqi4LwDfKFot5CVcPyuYEBfYWBI
[RadiCro] (Internet radio station)
Contents : Introduction and distribution of gamma wave sound in the program "Wadaidokoro (broadcast from 12:00 to 12:30)" "Special distribution:15:30～(about 30 min)" Introduction and distribution of Gamma Wave Sound
Date : Thursday, September 21, 2023
URL : https://www.radicro.com/
[Voicy] (Voice platform)
Contents : The original gamma wave sound is introduced as one of the BGMs of the audio content selection formula. In addition, "# Dementia to talk to parents" is set as the audio special theme on Thursday, September 21. Date : Thursday, September 21, 2023-
* The latest update of the app is required. There are individual differences in when the app can be updated.
URL : https://voicy.jp/
[Gamma wave sound original music production and distribution] (Podcast)
Contents : Two original BGMs of gamma wave sound "Memory (Gamma wave sound Edit)" and "Tomorrow (Gamma wave sound Edit)" are produced with BLACK CAT WHITE CAT, which provides works of unique and diverse musicians active at the forefront of contemporary music. Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. will be distributed so that people around the world can listen.
Location : Spotify, Apple Podcast, and other distribution services
Date : September 18, 2023 (Monday)-
URL : Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2LqQe1pw6X738Ee9MyLeLe
Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/id1707555873?l=en-US
Overview and list of initiatives related to "Gamma Wave Sound" and details of initiatives are here
About Shionogi Pharmaceutical
Shionogi Pharmaceutical has identified "contribution to a healthy and prosperous life" as one of the important issues (materiality) to be addressed. We will continue to strive to deliver innovative treatments for cognitive dysfunction, which has a high unmet medical need, to patients, and contribute to improving the quality of life of patients with mental and nervous system diseases and their families.
URL: https://www.shionogi.com/jp/ja/
About Shionogi Healthcare
The Shionogi Group has been serving people's health for over 145 years since its founding. Among them, Shionogi Healthcare was established in January 2016 based on the management philosophy of "providing the best healthcare value necessary to constantly protect people's health". Under the motto of "Self-care for everyone, gentle, correct, and enjoyable," we will contribute to a healthy and prosperous life through excellent products, information, and services in the healthcare field.
Trade name : Shionogi Healthcare Co., Ltd.
Company establishment : January 15, 2016
Company opening : April 1, 2016
Capital : 10 million yen
Number of employees : Approximately 130 (as of July 2023)
Representative : President and Representative Director Satoru Yoshimoto
Head office location : Yabashi Square 7th floor, 2-6-18 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Business description : Development, manufacture and sale of healthcare products such as over-the-counter drugs, quasi-drugs, controlled medical devices, and health foods
URL : https://www.shionogi-hc.co.jp/