Cognitive Training in Patients With MCI Using fMRI

São Paulo State University60 enrolled

Overview

The current project aims to investigate the efficacy of the visual imaging training (VIT) and alphabet search training in comparison to an active control intervention, namely psychoeducation information (PI) using fMRI in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy elderly controls (HE). MCI patients will be grouped according to biomarkers (PET PIB, PET FDG and liquor).

We will include 30 subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) single domain or multiple domain clinical diagnostic, over 60 years old, recruited through the Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Group ambulatory of University of Sao Paulo General Hospital. We will also include 30 healthy subjects, over 60 years old, recruited in the community. All the participants will be evaluated by neurologists specialized in cognitive neurology and subjected to a neuropsychological assessment. The 30 participants with MCI and 30 healthy subjects will be divided in 6 groups: the G1 MCI group (N=10) will receive 4 sessions of visual imaging training; the G2 control group (N=10) will receive 4 sessions of visual imaging training; the G3 MCI group (N=10) will receive psychoeducation intervention; the G4 control group (N=20) will receive psychoeducation intervention; the G5 MCI group (N=10) will receive cognitive training with alphabet search training and the G6 control group will receive cognitive training with alphabet search training. This will be a longitudinal, randomized, double blind study. MCI patients will be grouped according to biomarkers (PET PIB, PET FDG and liquor).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

Memory TrainingBEHAVIORAL

PsychoeducationBEHAVIORAL

Alphabet searchBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsMax age: 90 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Portuguese as native and preferred language; A minimum of 4 years of education; MRI-compatible; Right-handed individuals; Normal corrected vision and hearing; Estimated intelligence average or above (≥ 80 IQ); Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment identified by a doctor and neuropsychological tests; Able to give informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of neurological disorder; History of serious systemic disease; History of severe mental illness; Current untreated alcohol or substance abuse; Medical conditions that compromise in any way the central nervous system; Presence of visual impairment and / or hearing to preclude cognitive testing; Presence of contraindications to MRI exam; Findings in structural MRI that can interfere with the results of the study

Locations (1)

University of Sao Paulo

São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

fMRI correlates of behavioral performance

Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention fMRI correlates of behavioral performance

Changes in memory and language measures

Improvement in Logical Memory Test I and II results and naming tests

Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention - generalization

Secondary Outcomes

Changes in perception of memory performance

Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire

Time frame: Baseline, within four weeks after intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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