Toward rational use of cognitive training in those with mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

The term cognitive training includes a range of techniques that hold potential for treating cognitive impairment caused by neurologic injury and disease. Our central premise is that these techniques differ in their mechanisms of action and therefore engage distinct brain regions (or neural networks). We support this premise using data from a single-blind randomized-controlled trial in which patients with mild cognitive impairment were randomized to either mnemonic strategy training (MST) or spaced retrieval training (SRT) as they learned ecologically relevant object-location associations. Both training approaches were highly effective in the short term, but MST demonstrated a clear advantage after days to weeks. MST also increased activation in and functional connectivity between frontal, temporal, and parietal regions as well as the hippocampus. In contrast, patterns of reduced activation and functional connectivity were evident following SRT. These findings support the rational development of cognitive training techniques.

Effects of computerized cognitive training on functional brain networks in patients with vascular cognitive impairment and no dementia

“…This trend suggests that the brain may be adapting and becoming more interconnected in response to cognitive training, even if the changes are not yet statistically significant. Previous studies on cognitive training in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and older adults have also reported elevated FC in various brain regions within brain networks, which aligns with our study's findings 36,37 . It is noteworthy that our study divided different functional brain networks and further explored the changes in the FC attributes of the network, suggesting that the global brain network connectivity attributes increased significantly with computerized cognitive training.…”

“…36 In this study, we suggest that the observed decrease in FC in larger-scale intra-networks is (AD) and older adults have also reported elevated FC in various brain regions within brain networks, which aligns with our study's findings. 36,37 It is noteworthy that our study divided different functional brain networks and further explored the changes in the FC attributes of the network, suggesting that the global brain network connectivity attributes increased significantly with computerized cognitive training. Furthermore, the SMN and the LN, functioning as primary networks, are responsible for controlling sensorimotor and language processing functions, respectively.…”

Effects of a Multicomponent Intervention With Cognitive Training and Lifestyle Guidance for Older Adults at Risk of Dementia

“…These results are consistent with studies on the effects of mnemonic strategy training with older adults with SCD or MCI, 40,41 and imaging results of mnemonic strategy training have shown improvements in brain activity. 15,42 In a study of older adults with SCD, participants tended to spontaneously use more mnemonic strategies to compensate for the memory decline they experienced, and using the strategies in everyday life situations made them more beneficial. 43 This study suggests that the effectiveness of emphasizing mnemonic strategy training in a multicomponent intervention may have a positive effect on the more effective implementation and use of mnemonic strategies in daily life to consistently strengthen memory in older adults at risk of dementia.…”

“…12,13 One such intervention is a widely used form of cognitive training based on mnemonic strategies, which has demonstrated good results in improving cognitive function for individuals with MCI and SCD. [14][15][16][17] Mnemonic strategies can be widely conceptualized as cognitive methods that contribute to the organization and association of new information, thus increasing the depth of processing. 18 Mnemonic-strategy interventions usually include teaching participants about brain structure, how memory functions, and training memory strategies and guiding their application in everyday life.…”