Memory Training and Neural Plasticity

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Interventions: Behavioral: Working Memory Training

• Registration Number: NCT05380739
• Lead Sponsor: University of Michigan

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate the efficacy of working memory training in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Detailed Description

Working memory (WM) is the ability to hold information actively in mind and is fundamental for higher-order cognition. This pilot study aims to (1) evaluate the efficacy of WM training in older adults with MCI and (2) understand if and how it works. The study will use behavioral and brain imaging assessments to see whether WM training changes how participants learn and remember information. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) methods will be used. The study will also use cognitive tests and questionnaires to determine whether participants' cognitive abilities change with training. The study will enroll participants with a diagnosis of MCI as well as cognitively intact older adults (healthy controls, HC).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-04-07
• Study First Submitted: 2022-04-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-05-13
• Study First Posted: 2022-05-19
• Status Verified: 2023-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-11-17
• Last Update Posted: 2023-11-18
• Primary Completion: 2024-09-01
• Study Completion: 2024-09-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• MCI Diagnosis
• Right-handedness
• MRI-eligibility for MRI participants

Exclusion Criteria

• History of other contributing neurological or medical conditions known to affect cognitive functioning
• Significant mental illness
• Sensory impairments that limit ability to participate
• History of alcohol or drug abuse/dependence

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Online, MCI	Working Memory Training	Participants diagnosed with MCI will undergo 10 sessions of WM training online.
Online, Healthy	Working Memory Training	Cognitively intact older adults will undergo 10 sessions of WM training online.
In-Person, MCI	Working Memory Training	Participants diagnosed with MCI will undergo 10 sessions of WM training in person.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in brain activation within the WM network	2 weeks	Univariate analyses via fMRI and fNIRS, respectively, using units of brain activation (i.e., contrast estimates)
Gains in WM training task performance	2 weeks	Analyses of WM performance for each training session indexed as the mean set-size achieved during each training session for each participant

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in criterion (fMRI) WM task performance	2 weeks	Analyses of WM performance indexed as percent accuracy
Changes in functional connectivity within and between canonical brain networks	2 weeks	Graph theory analysis via fMRI and fNIRS, respectively, using measures of connectivity strength (i.e., correlation coefficients)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Michigan; 🇺🇸 Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States