(JUSTIFICATION: This is the R33 stage of an NIH funded R21/R33 study. R21 stage (IRB-61727) was focused on intervention development; R33 stage will focus on pilot testing the effect of the intervention. The R21 phase was not considered a NIH defined clinical trial; R33 will be considered a NIH defined clinical trial) The purpose is to develop and test the effect of a "personalized" computer-based cognitive training program. The personalized program tailors the difficulty of the training tasks using a participant's biofeedback (i.e., heart rate) and cognitive performance. Such a personalization will ensure that the participant can perform at his/her ideal training capacity. Participants will be randomized into one of 2 groups and each group will play a different version of computerized training game and have ECG collected to allow subject blinding.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
50
computerized cognitive training practicing speed of processing, the difficulty will be adjusted based on real-time monitored RMSSD (parasympathetic nervous system signals)
computerized mental leisure activities on cross-word puzzle, Sudoku, and solitaire; ECG will also be applied.
CogT Lab, Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, United States
RECRUITINGcomposite cognitive measure
a composite score of episodic memory and executive function. Episodic memory will be assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning and Brief Visuospatial Memory tests. Alternative forms of the tests will be used to reduce practice effects.The Z-transform scores across all assessment points within each test will be developed first to derive 2 composite scores (learning and delayed recall). Executive function will be measured using the EXAMINER, a computerized test package designed for RCTs. It includes 8 tests and calculates 4 sub-domain composite scores on working memory (Dot counting and N-back), inhibition (Flanker, Continuous Performance Test, and Anti-saccades), cognitive control (Dimensional Set Shifting), and Fluency (Phonemic Fluency and Category Fluency), and an overall composite score for executive function. A composite score synthesizing EXAMINER composite score, learning, and delayed recall will be created; higher indicates better performance.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 7, and 3-month
central autonomic network (CAN) functional integrity
BOLD during resting-state will be collected using a gradient echo-planar imaging sequence. The functional scans will be acquired using simultaneous multi-slice at sub-second TRs. An in-scanner camera will be used to ensure compliance. Identification of CAN involved networks for the study: a functional network template along with 268 ROIs described previously will be used. In this functional template, CAN related networks will be focused, including SN, DMN, subcortical network, and frontoparietal networks, along with ACC subregions. The data will be analyzed using the FSL software packages. fMRI preprocessing will consist of motion correction, slice-timing correction, normalization, and Gaussian spatial smoothing (FWHM 8mm). To calculate resting-state and task-related fMRI, the correlation coefficient between ROI pair across the time course will be Fisher Z-transformed and averaged to derive summary scores for network strength; higher indicates stronger network strength.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 7, and 3-month
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