Memory Training and Neural Plasticity

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

Detailed Description
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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).

Official Title
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Working Memory Training and Neural Plasticity in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Conditions
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Mild Cognitive Impairment

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Working Memory Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 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: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Participants in the MCI group will be assigned to receive either in-person (Arm1) or online WM training (Arm2), based on their preference and availability of equipment ensuring a stable internet connection, for 10 training sessions. Participants in the HC group will receive online training (Arm3). Data for HC who received in-person training was already collected (HUM00033133). WM performance in conjunction with brain imaging will be assessed within-subject, twice pre-training (Time1 and Time2) and once post-training (Time3), as well as  1 month after training (Follow-up). The Time1 vs. Time2 comparison will reveal task-exposure effects, whereas the Time2 vs. Time3 comparison will reveal training effects.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: In-Person, MCI<br>Participants diagnosed with MCI will undergo 10 sessions of WM training in person. | Behavioral: Working Memory Training<br>* A 10-session working memory (WM) training program<br>|
| Active Comparator: Online, MCI<br>Participants diagnosed with MCI will undergo 10 sessions of WM training online. | Behavioral: Working Memory Training<br>* A 10-session working memory (WM) training program<br>|
| Active Comparator: Online, Healthy<br>Cognitively intact older adults will undergo 10 sessions of WM training online. | Behavioral: Working Memory Training<br>* A 10-session working memory (WM) training program<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

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

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Working Memory, Training, fMRI