NCT01991405

Memory Aid - Working Memory Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Memory Aid - Computer Based Working Memory Training in Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Sorlandet Hospital HF · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Background: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by memory problems more severe than normal cognitive changes due to old age, and less severe than dementia. Reduced working memory (WM) is regarded as one of the core symptoms of an MCI-condition. Recent studies have indicated that WM can be improved trough computer based training. Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate if working memory training is effective in improving working memory in elderly MCI-patients. Further, to evaluate if cognitive training relates to structural changes in the white and gray matter of the brain, assessed by structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Cognitive phenotypes related to memory impairment and progression to dementia will also be investigated. Patients and Methods: The proposed study is a blinded, randomized and controlled trail that will include 90 elderly patients from a Memory Clinic diagnosed with MCI. The groups will be randomized to either training or a placebo version. The intervention is computerized working memory training performed for 45 minutes over 25 sessions. Neuropsychological assessment and structural MRI will be performed before, 6 and 12 months after training. Relevance: Currently there is no known treatment available for mild memory impairment/MCI, and few studies on specific cognitive training in MCI-patients have been performed. The proposed study has received funding from a Norwegian Health Region. If computer based training results in positive changes to memory functions in MCI patients this may represent a new, cost-effective treatment. Secondly, evaluation of training induced structural changes to grey or white matter may improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind effective cognitive interventions in MCI patients.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Computerized Working Memory Training.	Auditive and visual Working Memory tasks, administrated on a computer under guidance. 5 x 45 minutes per week, for 5 weeks. The intervention group will train at an "adaptive" level that is not to difficult nor to easy, which is hypothesized as optimal for learning and training effect. The placebo group will train with a "sham" program that is fixed ("non-adaptive" in difficulty level), but otherwise identical.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-08-01
• Primary completion: 2015-12-01
• Completion: 2016-12-01
• First posted: 2013-11-25
• Last updated: 2014-05-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Norway