Neurofeedback Intervention for Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disorders leading to dementia. Currently, there has been no effective pharmacologic therapy for this disease. Electroencephalogram-based neurofeedback is considered as a potentially treatment strategy. In this project, the investigators aim to investigate the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy on cognition for individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Participants will receive electroencephalogram-based neurofeedback therapy once a day for successive five days. Then, the investigators will evaluate the changes of memory function between baseline and post-therapy visits.

Detailed Description
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Currently, there has been no effective therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Electroencephalogram-based neurofeedback is now considered as a potentially intervention and may positively affect cognitive function for patients with AD. However, there are few existing studies involving the role of neurofeedback on cognition for subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Fifty participants with SCD will be recruited in this clinical trial. At baseline, neuropsychological tests are conducted. Participants will receive electroencephalogram-based neurofeedback therapy once a day for successive five days. After that, the investigators will evaluate the changes of memory measures, which is the primary outcome.

Official Title
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Effects of Electroencephalogram-based Neurofeedback on Cognition in Adults With Subject Cognitive Decline

Conditions
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Alzheimer Disease, Subjective Cognitive Decline, Neurofeedback, Electroencephalogram

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Electroencephalogram-based neurofeedback


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 50-79 years old, right-handed and Mandarin-speaking subjects; self-experienced persistent decline in cognitive capacity in comparison with a previously normal status and unrelated to an acute event; normal age-adjusted, gender-adjusted and education-adjusted performance on standardised cognitive tests; concerns (worries) associated with memory complaint; failure to meet the criteria for MCI or dementia Exclusion Criteria: a history of stroke; major depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score > 24 points); other central nervous system diseases that may cause cognitive impairment, such as Parkinson's disease, tumors, encephalitis and epilepsy; cognitive impairment caused by traumatic brain injury; systemic diseases, such as thyroid dysfunction, syphilis and HIV; a history of psychosis or congenital mental growth retardation.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years
Maximum Age: 79 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Neurofeedback therapy<br>Fifty participants conduct neurofeedback daily for 5 days. | Behavioral: Electroencephalogram-based neurofeedback<br>* In this project, SCD participants will receive electroencephalogram-based neurofeedback therapy, once a day, for 5 days. Then, the investigators will compare their memory changes between baseline and post-therapy visits.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes of Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) score | After intervention for five days, the investigators will compare baseline and post-therapy memory changes based on Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) scale, in order to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of neurofeedback. The scale of AVLT focuses on the memory domain, especially AVLT-long delayed memory, with cut- off points as 5 (50-59 years old), 4 (60-69 years old), 3 (70-79 years old) and AVLT-recognition, with cut-off points as 20 (50-59 years old), 19 (60-69 years old), 18 (70-79 years old). Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Five days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Subjective cognitive decline, Intervention, Neurofeedback