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Cerebrovascular and glymphatic dysfunction in sickle cell disease: evidence from a 40 Hz gamma sensory stimulation study in mice

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This pilot study used the Berkeley HbSS humanized mouse model of sickle cell disease (SCD) to assess whether audiovisual 40 Hz gamma sensory stimulation (40 Hz GSS) may serve as a non-pharmacologic approach to reduce chronic pain in SCD. HbSS and HbAA (control) mice received daily 1-hour 40 Hz GSS or sham conditions for 6 weeks and were assessed weekly in the von Frey and forelimb grip strength assays. At baseline, HbSS mice displayed mechanical hypersensitivity and grip strength deficits compared to HbAA controls. Over 6 weeks, 40 Hz GSS normalized both von Frey and grip strength responses in HbSS mice to levels indistinguishable from HbAA, whereas HbSS sham mice remained impaired. These findings support 40 Hz GSS as a promising, low-cost, non-pharmacological, and non-invasive adjunctive strategy for treating SCD-related chronic pain that may help reduce reliance on opioid analgesics and improve quality of life for those with SCD.

Source: Journal of sickle cell disease.

DOI: 10.1093/jscdis/yoag035