Promoting Adaptive Neuroplasticity in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Summary

Participation Requirements

Description

Enrollment and interactions/interventions are temporarily paused due to COVID-19 and are expected to resume in the future. This is not a suspension of IRB approval. The proposed study focuses specifically on a groundbreaking combination of mnemonic rehabilitation and non-invasive brain stimulation. ...

Enrollment and interactions/interventions are temporarily paused due to COVID-19 and are expected to resume in the future. This is not a suspension of IRB approval. The proposed study focuses specifically on a groundbreaking combination of mnemonic rehabilitation and non-invasive brain stimulation. The main idea is that brain stimulation can enhance functioning in the specific brain regions/networks, thereby increasing the patients' ability to benefit from memory rehabilitation. This will be a randomized, double-blind study (active vs. fake brain stimulation), that provides multiple treatment session. Outcome will be examined using both laboratory-based and real-world memory testing as well as brain imaging. This first-of-its-kind study has the potential to meaningfully translate more "basic" science findings into neuroanatomically targeted and functionally meaningful treatments for our aging population. The general purpose of this study is to examine the effects of two types of treatments for memory impairment in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). One form of treatment is cognitive rehabilitation, which involves teaching new ways to learn and remember information. The second form of treatment uses a type of electrical brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to increase activity in certain brain areas that may be involved with memory. We will use brain imaging to see whether these treatments changed how individuals learn and remember information. We will also use cognitive tests and questionnaires to examine whether memory (and related abilities) changed because of treatment.

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