A Review of Computer-Based Cognitive Training for Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease

Computer-based cognitive training programs are increasing in popularity, not only due to trends in technological advances, but also due to the intense marketing campaigns of such programs toward late-middle-aged and older adults. This article's objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive training programs in maintaining or improving cognitive function in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). Twelve databases were searched using terms related to computerized cognitive training (CCT) and MCI and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two raters independently extracted articles using agreed-upon criteria. Due to the heterogeneity of the samples, interventions, and outcomes, data of the studies was not statistically pooled for meta-analysis. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and the findings were summarized. All of the studies reviewed provided support that computerized cognitive interventions are feasible in people with MCI or early-stage AD. None of the studies yielded significant evidence to support the use of CCT alone for improvement or maintenance of cognitive function in people with MCI or AD. Further, no studies presented significant evidence of transfer of training to everyday skills and tasks. Recommendations for evaluating products and for areas of research need are provided.

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The Effect of In-Home Cognitive Training on Functional Performance of Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease

Research in Gerontological Nursing ◽

10.3928/19404921-20131009-01 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 14-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Ruth M. Tappen ◽

Debra Hain

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Early Stage

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Financial Capacity and Regional Cerebral Tau in Cognitively Normal Older Adults, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-201122 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Christopher Gonzalez ◽

Nicole S. Tommasi ◽

Danielle Briggs ◽

Michael J. Properzi ◽

Rebecca E. Amariglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Older Adults ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Early Stage ◽

Cognitively Normal ◽

Financial Capacity ◽

Posterior Cingulate ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Background: Financial capacity is often one of the first instrumental activities of daily living to be affected in cognitively normal (CN) older adults who later progress to amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between financial capacity and regional cerebral tau. Methods: Cross-sectional financial capacity was assessed using the Financial Capacity Instrument –Short Form (FCI-SF) in 410 CN, 199 MCI, and 61 AD dementia participants who underwent flortaucipir tau positron emission tomography from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Linear regression models with backward elimination were used with FCI-SF total score as the dependent variable and regional tau and tau-amyloid interaction as predictors of interest in separate analyses. Education, age sex, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Total Learning, and Trail Making Test B were used as covariates. Results: Significant associations were found between FCI-SF and tau regions (entorhinal: p < 0.001; inferior temporal: p < 0.001; dorsolateral prefrontal: p = 0.01; posterior cingulate: p = 0.03; precuneus: p < 0.001; and supramarginal gyrus: p = 0.005) across all participants. For the tau-amyloid interaction, significant associations were found in four regions (amyloid and dorsolateral prefrontal tau interaction: p = 0.005; amyloid and posterior cingulate tau interaction: p = 0.005; amyloid and precuneus tau interaction: p < 0.001; and amyloid and supramarginal tau interaction: p = 0.002). Conclusion: Greater regional tau burden was modestly associated with financial capacity impairment in early-stage AD. Extending this work with longitudinal analyses will further illustrate the utility of such assessments in detecting clinically meaningful decline, which may aid clinical trials of early-stage AD.

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Saffron for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies ◽

10.1186/s12906-020-03102-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zahra Ayati ◽

Guoyan Yang ◽

Mohammad Hossein Ayati ◽

Seyed Ahmad Emami ◽

Dennis Chang

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Daily Living ◽

Randomised Clinical Trials ◽

Disease Assessment ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Saffron (stigma of Crocus sativus L.) from Iridaceae family is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that has been used for hundreds of years to treat several diseases such as depressive mood, cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Recently, anti-dementia property of saffron has been indicated. However, the effects of saffron for the management of dementia remain controversial. The aim of the present study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of saffron in treating mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Methods An electronic database search of some major English and Chinese databases was conducted until 31st May 2019 to identify relevant randomised clinical trials (RCT). The primary outcome was cognitive function and the secondary outcomes included daily living function, global clinical assessment, quality of life (QoL), psychiatric assessment and safety. Rev-Man 5.3 software was applied to perform the meta-analyses. Results A total of four RCTs were included in this review. The analysis revealed that saffron significantly improves cognitive function measured by the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sums of Boxes (CDR-SB), compared to placebo groups. In addition, there was no significant difference between saffron and conventional medicine, as measured by cognitive scales such as ADAS-cog and CDR-SB. Saffron improved daily living function, but the changes were not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported in the included studies. Conclusions Saffron may have the potential to improve cognitive function and activities of daily living in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, due to limited high-quality studies there is insufficient evidence to make any recommendations for clinical use. Further clinical trials on larger sample sizes are warranted to shed more light on its efficacy and safety.

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