Adaptive working memory strategy training in early Alzheimer's disease: randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant challenge to cognitive function.
• There is an urgent need for effective interventions to improve cognition in AD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel 'chunking' based cognitive training paradigm for its efficacy in improving working memory and general cognitive function in mild Alzheimer's disease.
• To investigate the neural correlates of cognitive improvement using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), specifically examining changes in prefrontal and parietal cortex activity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 30 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease.
• Participants received 18 sessions of adaptive chunking training or an active control intervention over 8 weeks.
• Pre- and post-intervention fMRI scans were utilized to assess changes in brain activity.

Main Results:

• Adaptive chunking training resulted in significant improvements in verbal working memory and general cognitive function.
• fMRI data indicated a reduction in task-related activation in the lateral prefrontal and parietal cortices in the training group compared to controls.
• These findings suggest a neural reorganization associated with the cognitive training.

Conclusions:

• Chunking-based cognitive training is a promising, simple, and potentially scalable intervention for enhancing cognitive function in early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
• The observed improvements in cognition and associated changes in brain activity support the utility of this training approach.