This research is being done to determine if computerized administered cognitive fitness activities will improve thinking and depression in older depressed adults who are being treated with antidepressants. The investigators are also interested in whether participating in the treatment will result in changes to brain activity measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Major depression in the elderly is both challenging to treat and detrimental to the cognitive functioning of patients. Major depression increases the probability of a later dementia diagnosis. By targeting cognitive processes in treatment, the investigators hope to both find a more effective means to manage major depression in older adults, but also demonstrate how top-down processes (e.g., Executive Control Network) may be driving depression and cognitive decline in older adults. The investigators are recruiting older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment. All subjects must have at least mild depressive symptoms to be eligible to participate. Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two different interventions. Results of this study will help the investigators understand the mechanisms that contribute to depressed mood and cognitive change in older adults with late life depression.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
38
computerized experimental brain-training treatment
computerized intervention that follows recommendations for cognitive fitness
UConn Health
Farmington, Connecticut, United States
Change in attention / cognitive flexibility as measured by the Trail Making Part B test
time to complete alpha-numeric sequencing
Time frame: Pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended
Change in depression symptom severity as measured with the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
depression rating scale
Time frame: Pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended
Change in verbal learning as measured with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) Total Learning
number of words recalled over 5 trials and spontaneous semantic organization of those words
Time frame: Pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended
Change in attention processing speed as measured with the Flanker Test of Response Inhibition from the NIH Cognitive Toolbox
computerized test of response inhibition, speed of responding
Time frame: Pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended
Change in self-reported depressive symptoms measured with the Carroll Depression Rating Scale
self-report of depression symptoms
Time frame: Pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended
Change in problem solving/speed/spatial memory as measured with the NIH Toolbox fluid composite scales
computerized picture memory, simple processing speed, problem solving/mental flexibility
Time frame: Pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.