Enhancing Gamma Band Response in Mild Cognitive Impairment to Improve Working Memory

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral, Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been identified as an early phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder expected to affect 13.9 million Americans by 2060. AD causes a progressive cognitive decline, including problems related to learning and memory, that adversely affects life quality. Treatment intervention at the MCI stage of the disease could potentially slow down the rate at which people may convert from MCI to AD. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal activity in frontal regions of the brain is associated with cognitive deficits observed in AD. Furthermore, previous research has shown that neurofeedback (NFB) training targeting these regions can improve memory, making it a potential treatment for AD. NFB is a technique where an individual learns to change his/her brain function in a particular direction, once that function has been made accessible through a visual or auditory metaphor. We are proposing a novel, computer-based brain-training program to enhance frontal gamma oscillatory activity in individuals with MCI. Results from this study will build the scientific foundation necessary for larger clinical trials dedicated to improving treatment options and outcomes for patients with MCI.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 50
Maximum Age: 85
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Meet criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

• Living independently.

• Literate in English.

• Competent to participate in the informed consent process and provide voluntary informed consent.

Locations
United States
California
University of California at San Diego
RECRUITING
La Jolla
Contact Information
Primary
Autumn Harris, B.S.
avharris@health.ucsd.edu
858-267-2257
Backup
Fiza Singh, M.D.
fsingh@health.ucsd.edu
Time Frame
Start Date: 2021-01-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-08-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 112
Treatments
Experimental: Active Treatment
Subjects will be given a choice of videos consisting of still images set to music. Whether the video progresses and music continues to play will depend on the subject's ability to maintain frontal gamma oscillatory activity within a prespecified range. Over successive weeks, the parameters for positive feedback (music and video progression) will become incrementally more difficult.
Sham_comparator: Placebo
Video and music progression will be random and will not depend on brain activity. Any progression will be by random chance alone.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of California, San Diego

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

Similar Clinical Trials