Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal cognition and dementia. A review showed that 10-15% of those with MCI annually progressed to Alzheimer's disease. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with MCI as well as the characteristics of cognitive deficits among older people in rural Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 482 people who were 60 years old and over was conducted in northern Thailand. The assessments were administered by trained occupational therapists using demographic and health characteristics, Mental Status Examination Thai 10, Activities of Daily Living -Thai Assessment Scale, 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B, Thai version). Results: The mean age of MCI was 68.3 ± 6.82 years, and most had an education ≤4 years. The prevalence of MCI in older people was 71.4% (344 out of 482), and it increased with age. Low education and diabetes mellitus (DM) were the significant risk factors associated with cognitive decline. Older people with MCI were more likely to have an education ≤4 years (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.21-2.51) and DM (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.36) than those who did not. The 3 most common cognitive impairments according to MoCA-B were executive function (86%), alternating attention (33.1%) and delayed recall (31.1%). Conclusion: The prevalence of MCI in older Thai people in a rural area is high compared with that in other countries. The explanation might be due to low education and underlying disease associated with MCI. A suitable program that can reduce the prospects of MCI in rural Thailand is needed.MoCA Thai version that showed lower prevalences (43.5%) in a younger group that had a mean age of MCI at 57.12 ± 7.48 years and had higher income and a better education [8]. Compared to other countries, the results were consistent with the study in Saudi Arabia using MoCA Saudi Arabian version where the assessment was also done in a community-based setting. Their overall prevalence of cognitive impairment was 72.5%, and the mean age of the sample group was 67 ± 6 years. However, after adjustment of the education-cutoff scores, their prevalence of MCI was reduced to 38.6%. The Saudi Arabian study also showed that 42

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This study examined the effects of a cognitive training program on cognitive function and neurochemistry changes in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Ten individuals with aMCI were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 5) and control (n = 5) groups. The experimental group took part in an 18session cognitive training program over a 6-week period. After completing the cognitive training course, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in memory, attention, and executive functions. With respect to the neurochemistry biomarkers, the myoinositol/creatine (mI/Cr) ratio was significantly decreased in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex of the experimental group after training. Findings demonstrate that the cognitive training program showed promising evidence in improving cognitive functions in individuals with aMCI. The observed cognitive function improvement was accompanied by a decrease of mI levels. examine how improvement on theses psychological tests is related to functional changes. CONCLUSIONThis preliminary study demonstrated the beneficial effect of the cognitive training program in improving memory, attention, and executive function of individuals with aMCI. The cognitive improvement was accompanied by the decrement of mI/Cr in both sides of the hippocampus, PFC, and ACC. Thus, a cognitive training program may potentially be an effective interventional approach to delay the conversion from aMCI to AD. Further study is needed to confirm these preliminary findings. ACKNOWLEDGMENTSFunds for this research were granted by the Office of the Higher Education Commission, Thailand, and the

Learning disabilities (LD) can be associated with problems in the four stages of information processing used in learning: input, throughput, output, and feedback. These problems affect the child's ability to learn and perform activities in daily life, especially during academic activities. This study is a pilot study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of information processing strategy training using a combination of two approaches that address the ability to apply processing strategies during academic activities in children with LD. The two approaches are the Perceive, Recall, Plan, and Perform (PRPP) System of Intervention, which is a strategy training intervention, and the Four-Quadrant Model (4QM) of Facilitated Learning approach, which is a systematic facilitator technique. Twenty children with LD were assigned to two groups: the experimental group (n = 10) and the control group (n = 10). Children in the experimental group received the intervention twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Each treatment session took approximately 50 minutes. Children in the control group received traditional intervention twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks. The results indicated that the combination of the PRPP System of Intervention and the 4QM may improve the participants' ability to apply information processing strategies during academic activities.

Introduction: Cognitive deterioration in older people with mild neurocognitive disorders (mNCD) increases the risk of progress to major NCD. Health professionals worldwide are trying to find strategies for prevention. There is a limited number of studies that deal with cultural conditions in northern Thailand. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a combination of physical movement activity and multifaceted cognitive training on cognitive function in older people with mNCD. Methods: A randomized control trial involving 70 mNCD people, according to DSM-5 criteria, was conducted on an intervention group and a control group (n = 35 each). The program for the intervention group included 24 sessions (twice a week). The outcome measures on cognitive function were assessed before and after the intervention by means of composite cognitive measures for older people, i.e., the Trail-Making Test (TMT), Digit Span (DS), Verbal Fluency (VF), Word-List Learning (WLL), and Block Design (BD). Results: The combined intervention enhanced cognitive function. TMT-A was significantly improved in the intervention group. There were significant improvements in DS sequence scores, letter verbal fluency (LVF), and category verbal fluency (CVF). Comparing the groups, there were significant differences in LVF including immediate and delayed recall. BD improved significantly in the intervention group. Conclusions: The combined intervention appeared to be effective in delaying/preventing cognitive deterioration and cognitive functional decline in people with mNCD. Further studies on a variation of treatments suited to cultural conditions and their effects are needed. Trials in other communities are also recommended.