Early intervention for cognitive decline: can cognitive training be used as a selective prevention technique?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Cognitive decline is a significant concern in aging populations.
• Cognitive training (CT) is explored as a potential therapeutic strategy for prevention.
• CT's efficacy is examined across healthy, at-risk, and clinical older adult groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate cognitive training (CT) as a preventive tool across different stages of the prevention hierarchy.
• To specifically assess CT's role in secondary prevention for older adults.
• To consider the underlying neuroplastic mechanisms of CT.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and re-examination of existing studies on CT in healthy, at-risk, and clinical populations.
• Focus on studies relevant to secondary prevention strategies.
• Analysis of methodologies, sample sizes, and outcome measures in current research.

Main Results:

• CT shows positive results for improving cognition in healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment.
• Findings for Alzheimer's disease are mixed, and data on late-life depression is limited.
• Limitations include diverse methodologies, small samples, and insufficient focus on functional outcomes and generalization.

Conclusions:

• CT holds promise as a non-pharmacological early intervention for healthy and at-risk older adults, particularly for secondary prevention.
• Future research should address methodological constraints and elucidate neuroplastic mechanisms.
• CT programs are implementable, engaging, and promote social interaction.