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Neuroscience and Smart Aging

Ryuta Kawashima
Department
pof Functional Brain Imaging
g g
IDAC, Tohoku University
pjp
http://www.fbi.idac.tohoku.ac.jp/fbi/

2Background: Animal Researches
Researches on the micro-architecture of thecerebral cortex to understand neuro-vascular
coupling
Two Photon Laser Scanning Microscope

Multi-Channel Electrophysiological Set-up

3Background: Human Researches
Basic Brain Science using Functional Brain
Imaging Techniques

Functional MRI

Near Infra-red
Spectroscopy (NIRs)

Multi-channel EEG

The final goals of our studies are to reveal functional organizationof human brain involved in higher brain function, and to figure out
the relationship between brain and mind.

Our Research Facilities
3T-MRI: Philips Intera Achieva 3.0T Quasar Dual
Precise Anatomy

Fiber
be Tracking
ac gMapping ofI di id l B
IndividualBrainiFunction

5

Our New Research Facilities
Wearable NIRs

日立基礎研究所試作機 An Experimental Model by Advanced Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd.

NIRs Measurement during Driving Motorcycle

7

Examples of Industry-University Joint
Research-Development
Development of new intervention
and prevention methods for senile
dementiadementia

8

Mental-Exercise Hypothesis• The rate of age-related decline in measuresof cognitive functioning will be lesspronounced for people who are morementally activeactive, oror, equivalently
equivalently, that thecognitive differences among people who varyin level of mental activity will be greater withincreased age.

9

Hypotheses from Brain Science• Importance of the Prefrontal Cortex
1) Verbal and non-verbal communication
2) Logical thinking
3) WWorking
ki memory4) Control, especially inhibition, for behavior
5)) Control for emotion6) Intention7) Attention8) Initiation
9) LearningPFC

The prefrontal cortex plays extremely important roles inkeeping our daily life healthy and happy.

10

Changes of Neuropsychological
MMeasuresd i A
duringAgingi
1.0

Cognitive tasks require
semantic knowledge

Z-sscore

0.0

-1.0

Cognitive tasks required
prefrontal functions
p-2.0
2030

40

50

60

70

8090

Chronological Age
Modified from Salthouse 2006

RCT-SDAT

11Randomized controlled trial on cognitive intervention
in senile dementia Alzheimer type (SDAT)（n = 3232, mean age 8585.7）
7）

Kawashima et al. J Gerontology Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2005

12RCT-SDAT

Select Effective Tasks for Activating PFC• Reviewing the previous functional brain
imaging studies• The task(s) must
– activate bilateral PFC– beb simple
i l andd easy

Reading aloudHand writing

Simple arithmetic
v.s. rest p < 0.05 (corrected)

RCT-SDAT

Examplespof Learning
g Materials

1314RCT-SDAT
Case 3（85 yyrs Female: SDAT）
Showing dramatic changes after three month intervention

Jan. 2005(b d idd(bedridden
more ththanthree years)

Mar. 2005(l(learningion ththewheelchair)

15

RCT-SDATNIRs measurements

Prior to Intervention

One month after intervention

82 years old female, SDAT, MMSE 15, FAB 7

16

RCT-SDAT

Changes in Neuropsychological Characteristics
Intervention

Intervention
25
20
15

10n.s.

86p < 0.05

10n.s.

Control

45200Baselinep < 0.05

6m follow up

MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)
General Cognitive Function

ControlBaseline

6m follow upFAB
Prefrontal Function

Each group consisted of 16 SDAT (Senile Dementia Alzheimer Type) patientsdiagnosed by DSM-IV.
J Gerontology Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2005

RCT-healthy seniors

17

Single blindblind, randomized controlled trial on cognitive
intervention in community dwelling seniors（n = 9898, mean age 7575.4,4 70 to 86 yy.o.）o）

Uchida & Kawashima Age, 2008

RCT-healthy seniors

18

Examples of Learning Materials

As for daily cognitive intervention, the subjects were asked tosolve systematized basic problems in reading and arithmeticeveryday for six months (Kawashima et al., 2005).
Kawashima et al. J Gerontology Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2005

RCT-healthy seniors

19The participants in the experimental group were asked to come toclass in two elementary schools near their place of residence
once a week
week.鶴谷小学校
The daily learning time for the鶴谷東小学校
two tasks wasapproximately 15 min.

20

RCT-healthy seniors

Changes in Neuropsychological Characteristics(6M follow up)
a. MMSE scoreb. FAB score

Intervention(n = 51)30

15p < 0.001

p = 0.05

1447
46
45
44
432424140

p = 0.078

p = 0.80

29c. DST score

p = 0.49

p = 0.055

28

Control(n = 47)1327

prepostprep = 0.0044
p = 0.19

p = 0.13

prepostpost

Cognitive measure:Mini-mental state examination (MMSE)
Frontal Assessment Battery at Bedside (FAB)
Digit symbol substitution test of WAIR-R (DST)
Uchida & Kawashima Age, 2008

Active Cohort

Analysis on active cohort study of elders（n = 323）

21

22

Active Cohort

Psychological measures (6 M follow up)
Changes of MMSE score
302915ControlCt ln = 122
p < 0.05

282726

Changes of FAB score

p < 0.001

Allsubjects
n = 201p < 0.01

Controln = 12214 5
14.5

p < 0.0001

Allsubjects
n = 201

14MCI s/on = 562513.524Baseline

6M follow up

MCI s/on = 56
Baseline

6M follow up

23

Active Cohort

Changes of MMSE Score during 6M Intervention- Oogaki, Gifu project30
29１８28

Normal

2726

２25
2423

MCI s/o２０222120
Pre

6M later

Dementia s/oIIn ththe OOogaki,ki GifGifu project,
j t 20 agedd subjects
bj t whoh were diagnoseddid as MCI (mild( ildcognitive impairment) participated. 18 subjects became normal after 6 monthintervention program has been taken place.

24

Active CohortAchievement• In 2007, our cognitive intervention system is used for dailycare of dementia patients at more than 700 nursing homes,
and for mental exercise of community dwelling seniors at 56
local governments.

25

Examples of Industry-University Joint
Research-R&D of Games and TV Programs-

26

Brain activity during playing video games

Fighting game（fMRI）

Shooting game（fMRI）

Puzzle game（fMRI）

Puzzle game（NIRs）

Th mostt videogames
Theidddo nott activate
ti t ththe prefrontal
f t l cortex.
t
In addition, they often deactivate the prefrontal cortex.

27

R&D of video game that canactivate
itheh prefrontal
fl cortex
Needs
Company(e.g. Nintendo)
Game soft

Seeds
Tohoku Universityy
Measure brain activity

We evaluated and madesuggestions how to activate theprefrontal cortex using brain
imaging techniques.
This evaluation (scientific proof)
added values to the game itself
and made it mega-hit!

Beneficial Effects on Cognitive Functions byg GamesNintendo DS Brain Training“Today Tonight” 2008.06.24 Australia

28