Auditory Integration Training
     Sound Therapy is an innovative program of sound stimulation. It has been used throughout the world for over fifty years and is described in the best selling novel, "The Mozart Effect." While anyone can benefit from this program, it is of special interest to families and children and those with Dementia related illnesses, Autism, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and many other learning disabilities.

     Auditory Integration Training, AlT, was developed in the 1960's by Dr.Bera rd Guy Berard, a French ENT specialist. Dr. Berard's auditory intervention Protocol utilizes an electronic amplifier with variable frequency and amplitude modulation capabilities.

     The modulated music program is applied in 20 listening sessions. Each session is 30 minutes long and the program is completed in 20 days. What reported improvements can we expect from training Alzheimer patients with Dr. Berard's 's AlT? Let us first consider some other research projects.
     In 1999 Dr. Kumar et al, University of Miami, reported increased melatonin levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease after music therapy. It was concluded, "Music Therapy may have contributed to patients relaxed and calm mood."

     In 2001 Dr. Stephen Porges, University of Maryland, applied an auditory intervention program similiar to AIT-The Listening Project- investigating a neurobiological model of socio-emotional and communication disorder using an auditory intervention protocol. Dr. Porges found that the same nerves that control the middle ear muscles also control vocalization, facial expression, heart rate and breathing. Regarding the improvements from The Listening Project Porges concludes, "We believe that the intervention will be useful with both children and adults with difficulties in social engagement behaviors such as attention, listening, mood regulation, language and social behavior."

     Dr. Jaak Panksepp, Bowling Green State University, investigating the biochemical balance in the brain applied both modulated and non-modulated music in three animal studies and found a dramatic increase in, nor epinephrine (nor adrenalin) - reducing depression.

     In 2002 Dr. MJ Sjogren et al, Goteborg University, Sweden, studied the cognition-enhancing effect of vagus nerve stimulation in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Sjogren concluded: "The results of this open-label pilot study suggest a positive effect of VNS on cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore: "the persistence of improvement after 6 months suggests active treatment was responsible."