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Neurofeedback to Improve Working Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Sponsor: University of California, San Diego
Summary
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been identified as an early phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder expected to affect 13.9 million Americans by 2060. AD causes a progressive cognitive decline, including problems related to learning and memory, that adversely affects life quality. Treatment intervention at the MCI stage of the disease could potentially slow down the rate at which people may convert from MCI to AD. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal activity in frontal regions of the brain is associated with cognitive deficits observed in AD. Furthermore, previous research has shown that neurofeedback (NFB) training targeting these regions can improve memory, making it a potential treatment for AD. NFB is a technique where an individual learns to change his/her brain function in a particular direction, once that function has been made accessible through a visual or auditory metaphor. We are proposing a novel, computer-based brain-training program to enhance frontal gamma oscillatory activity in individuals with MCI. Results from this study will build the scientific foundation necessary for larger clinical trials dedicated to improving treatment options and outcomes for patients with MCI.
Official title: Enhancing Gamma Band Response in Mild Cognitive Impairment to Improve Working Memory
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
50 Years - 85 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
112
Start Date
2021-01-01
Completion Date
2026-07-31
Last Updated
2026-01-27
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a technique where brain functions are made accessible to the subject in the form of a metaphor. For instance, frontal brain activity may be shown as an airplane flying. Once the activity is made accessible, the subject can modulate it in a pre-specified direction. The parameters used to achieve successful feedback are made difficult over time and hence the brain is taught or conditioned to improve performance.
Placebo
Subjects in this arm will undergo all of the same testing as active treatment. Music and video progression will not depend on brain activity. Instead feedback will be random.
Locations (1)
University of California at San Diego
La Jolla, California, United States