Simulating the Effects of Gamma Oscillation Treatment on Selective Neurotransmitters Using The Virtual Brain and Complex Pathway Simulator

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world, is caused by a variety of factors that lead to neuronal injury and an alteration in neurotransmitter production and release. This study aimed to identify changes in acetylcholine and glutamate following gamma oscillation treatment in the context of AD. Current AD treatments are limited, often relying on infusions of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies or the ingestion of less accessible chemical compounds like glutamate and cholinesterase inhibitors. Gamma oscillations represent a relatively new experimental treatment showing positive benefits in early studies. Using The Virtual Brain (TVB) and data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a brain model with Late Mild Cognitive Impairment (LMCI) was simulated under gamma oscillation therapy. Utilizing COPASI and associated analysis, changes in neurotransmitter proxies were quantified. Results indicate an increase in both acetylcholine and glutamate. This finding is significant because acetylcholine levels are typically decreased, and glutamate is elevated in patients with AD, creating a unique biochemical scenario within this experimental context. These observations further support the potential of gamma oscillation modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.