Brain and Cognitive Changes After Reasoning Training in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: Individuals aged 55 and older may experience negative effects of cognitive decline. The proposed research seeks to evaluate the benefits of different types of interventions: reasoning training following transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and reasoning training following sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on frontal- lobe mediated cognitive measures of executive control in adults with memory complaints, in the absence of dementia.

Detailed Description: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of reasoning training on individuals with complaints of changes in memory or thinking in the absence of dementia, when combined with transcranial current stimulation (tDCS). The reasoning training being studied is a strategy based program where individuals are taught strategies designed to engage the frontal lobes. Participants will randomly be placed into one of two groups (1) reasoning training following transcranial current stimulation (tDCS) as compared to (2) reasoning training following sham tDCS. The study will be done with adults between the ages of 50 and 80 with consistent memory complaints or lower baseline performance on memory measures. The primary hypothesis is that individuals receiving tDCS prior to brain training will have a stronger response to brain training than those in the sham tDCS group. Response to training will be measured by improved cognitive function and neural changes as measured by neuropsychological testing, MRI, and EEG. MRI will be used to evaluate the impact of reasoning training on brain blood flow, structure and function, and to measure changes in brain energy metabolism and electroencephalogram (EEG) to evaluate intervention outcomes. The reasoning training program will be conducted in small groups at the Center for BrainHealth.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Safely have an MRI
Cognitive complaints in the absence of dementia
Participate in tasks involving motor abilities such as use of at least one arm and hand
Read, speak, and comprehend English
50-80 years of age
Comprehend simple instructions, perform tasks, and take part in intervention

Exclusion Criteria

Not proficient in reading, comprehending, or speaking English
Individuals who have any significant health, neurological, or psychiatric illness, or history of substance abuse
Individuals with any MR contraindications (i.e., non-removable metal within/on the body)
Individuals taking medications which are contraindicatory for the tDCS procedure
Individuals who are left-handed
Not proficient in reading,comprehending, and speaking English
Females who are not post-menopausal
Pre-existing cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorder, thyroid diseases, diabetes, claustrophobia, non-correctable vision problems, major depression, psychosis, active behavioral disorder, or uncontrolled epilepsy.
Women who are pregnant

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sham tDCS+training	Sham tDCS	This group will receive 20 minutes of "sham" tDCS, 8x over four weeks immediately followed by reasoning training 8x over four weeks.
tDCS+Training	tDCS	This group will receive 20 minutes of tDCS, 8x over four weeks immediately followed by reasoning training 8x over four weeks

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change From Baseline in California Verbal Learning Task Score	Baseline to 4 weeks and 3 months post-training	To examine short-term and long-term effects of treatment on cognition and real-life outcomes. The participant will undergo neuropsychological testing at baseline, post-training (4 weeks), as well as 3-months post-training. Scores on the scale range from 0 to 16 on the California Verbal Learning Task. Higher the values are better their memory.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Regional Brain Blood Flow Change Immediately After 1 Month of Cognitive Training and tDCS Brain Stimulation	Two longitudinal measurements at baseline and 1-month	Non-invasive estimation of rCBF by perfusion maps using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI. rCBF is quantified as mL/min/100g tissue.