Is cognitive training an effective treatment for preclinical and early Alzheimer's disease?

There is much interest in early intervention for the prevention or postponement of dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results of drug trials in this regard have thus far been disappointing, and non-pharmacological interventions are receiving increased attention. One such intervention is complex cognitive activity. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that participation in stimulating mental activities is associated with lowered dementia risk. The introduction of novel and complex cognitive interventions to healthy adults and those with cognitive impairment may represent an efficacious treatment option to improve cognition, lower dementia incidence, and slow rate of decline. This review examines the evidence for restorative cognitive training (CT) and addresses a number of clinically relevant issues regarding cognitive benefit and its transfer and persistence. Although the number of randomized controlled trials is limited, preliminary evidence suggests that CT may provide immediate and longer term cognitive benefits which generalize to non-trained domains and non-cognitive functions, with supervised small group multi-domain training providing greatest benefits. Possible neuroplastic mechanisms are discussed, and recommendations for further research and clinical implementation provided.