Cognitive Training in the Elderly
Summary
Background:
The aging of the population has lead to a significant increase in the number of older people suffering from cognitive impairment and dementia. The present lack of effective drug therapy for these conditions makes it imperative to investigate other potential therapeutic interventions.
Cognitive training has been described as possibly useful in improving cognitive function in elderly subjects with mild impairment and early dementia. However, there have been few well-designed studies to date and the results are equivocal. Most studies have relied on the use of paper-based neuropsychological assessment instruments with limited accuracy and reproducibility. The investigators have developed a validated computerized neuropsychological assessment battery with increased test-retest reliability.
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of a computerized training program on cognitive function in older persons with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and early dementia.
Description:
A randomized prospective AB/BA crossover study.
Methods:
Eligible males and females aged 60 years and older following initial computerized neuropsychological assessment will be randomized to receive either a 12-session computerized cognitive training program, or no treatment. Repeat neuropsychological assessment will be followed by a 4-week no treatment phase, reassessment and crossover phase. Repeat assessments will be performed at three and six months.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Placebo Control, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions
Dementia
Intervention
computerized cognitive training
Location
Beersheva Mental Health Center
Beersheva
Israel
Status
Recruiting
Source
Beersheva Mental Health Center
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00146263
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic, Cognitive Disorders
Cognitive disorders including delirium, dementia, and other cognitive disorders. These may be the result of substance use, trauma, or other causes.
Aphasia, Primary Progressive
A progressive form of dementia characterized by the global loss of language abilities and initial preservation of other cognitive functions. Fluent and nonfluent subtypes have been described. Eventually a pattern of global cognitive dysfunction, similar to ALZHEIMER DISEASE, emerges. Pathologically, there are no Alzheimer or PICK DISEASE like changes, however, spongiform changes of cortical layers II and III are present in the TEMPORAL LOBE and FRONTAL LOBE. (From Brain 1998 Jan;121(Pt 1):115-26)
Training Support
Financial support for training including both student stipends and loans and training grants to institutions.
Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
Heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by frontal and temporal lobe atrophy associated with neuronal loss, gliosis, and dementia. Patients exhibit progressive changes in social, behavioral, and/or language function. Multiple subtypes or forms are recognized based on presence or absence of TAU PROTEIN inclusions. FTLD includes three clinical syndromes: FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA, semantic dementia, and PRIMARY PROGRESSIVE NONFLUENT APHASIA.
Frontotemporal Dementia
The most common clinical form of FRONTOTEMPORAL LOBAR DEGENERATION, this dementia presents with personality and behavioral changes often associated with disinhibition, apathy, and lack of insight.
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PubMed Articles
ACTIVE Cognitive Training and Rates of Incident Dementia.
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