Effects of Different Cognitive Trainings on Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly: A One-Year Longitudinal Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Study

Abstract

BackgroundCognitive training has been focused on the interventions of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) in recent years, with poor understanding.Material/MethodsThe study participants with aMCI were screened in a previous intervention trial. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was adopted to investigate effects of single-domain cognitive training (SDCT) and multi-domain cognitive training (MDCT) on aMCI and to explore potential mechanisms.ResultsThere were significant differences in the grey matter volume of the middle frontal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, inferior temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and ventral V3 between the MDCT/SDCT group and the control group (P<0.05). Regional homogeneity (ReHo) increased significantly in the right and left inferior frontal gyrus as well as in the left and right precentral gyrus after intervention in the MDCT group and the SDCT group. ReHo increased significantly in the right and left lingual gyrus of the MDCT group and the control group. ReHo reduced significantly in the right middle temporal gyrus of the MDCT group but increased significantly in the left middle temporal gyrus in the SDCT group and the control group. The voxel of grey matter in the precuneus was positively related to the language scores on RBANS (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status), and amygdala, fusiform gyrus, and hippocampus also had a positive relationship with delayed memory scores in RBANS of the MDCT group. In the MDCT group, the attention and reasoning scores were also positively related to the ReHo of middle temporal gyrus.ConclusionsBoth MDCT and SDCT may improve the aMCI at brain functional and structural levels; however, the MDCT group exhibited higher ReHo values in middle temporal gyrus and superior occipital gyrus. Also, it was confirmed that MDCT leads to better results than SDCT, showing a significant correlation of cognitive functions such as attention, memory, reasoning, and visual-spatial ability.

Acupressure and Cognitive Training Can Improve Cognitive Functions of Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Our findings are consistent with a growing body of research demonstrating the beneficial effects of cognitive training for patients with MCI (Feng et al, 2018;Li et al, 2019;Zhang et al, 2019b). Previous findings suggest that memory deficits in patients with MCI may emerge through a combined "loss" of medial temporal and frontoparietal functioning (Munro et al, 2015;Schnellbächer et al, 2020;Tang et al, 2021).…”

Mindfulness and Cognitive Training Interventions in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Impact on Cognition and Mood

“…[92][93][94][95][96] Relatedly, emerging research has suggested the potential value of "gamified" cognitive training, which has improved episodic memory and motivation among adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. 97 Lastly, multidomain and multicomponent cognitive training may yield modest cognitive benefits in mild cognitive impairment, 98,99 although recent reviews have emphasized the need for studies with…”

“…112 In small pilot studies in amnestic mild cognitive impairment, computerized multidomain cognitive training has also been associated with increased gray matter volume, in right angular gyrus and parietal regions at post-training, 113 while vision-based speedof-processing training has been associated with enhanced resting-state connectivity within the central executive, frontal parietal, and salience networks, the latter of which may be associated with improved regulation of the autonomic nervous system. 90,91 Finally, preliminary findings from rsfMRI studies suggest that multidomain cognitive training may be associated with increases in activation and gray matter volume in frontal and temporal regions in amnestic mild cognitive impairment, which may improve aspects of memory and executive function 98 (Table 2 72,86-91,105 ). Moving forward, there remains need for high-quality research to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of mindfulness and cognitive training on cognition and mood in mild cognitive impairment.…”

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Improving Cognitive Function in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review

“…Existing pharmacological interventions for MCI are unsatisfactory and have limited effectiveness (Sanford, 2017 ). Therefore, non-pharmacological interventions for MCI have received increasing attention (Feng et al, 2018 ; Kasper et al, 2020 ).…”