A Case Study of the Long-Lasting Effects of Cognitive Training on Similar Tasks in Alzheimer's Disease

Long-Lasting Neuropsychological Effects of a Computerized Cognitive Training in Patients Affected by Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease: Are They Stable Over Time?

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the stability of effects of a computerized cognitive training previously administered to a large group of early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, as compared with a control group.

METHOD

Eighty AD patients were randomized in two groups and underwent a computerized cognitive training, or a control intervention.

RESULTS

A Repeated Measures General Linear Model (RM-GLM) showed a significant interaction effect for the following neuropsychological tests: the digit span forward and backward, and the two-syllable words test, as measures of short-term memory and working memory; the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) story immediate and the RBMT story delayed, as measures of ecologically oriented memory; the Token test, as measure of language comprehension; and the Brixton test, as an executive functions measure.

CONCLUSION

Patients in the experimental group showed a significant improvement in various neuropsychological domains due to the training, and these effects decreased after 12 months.

What do we know from clinical trials on exercise and Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in elderly with major symptoms of a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities impairment which are serious enough to interfere with daily life. While there is no treatment can prevent and revise the cognitive function impairment in AD, physical activity becomes a potential beneficial intervention for AD. Multiple evidences suggested that exercise in general plays beneficial roles in improving brain function. Most common mechanisms of exercise-induced enhancement of brain function are including alteration of neurogenesis, neuron plasticity, neuronal signaling and receptors, as well as neuronal networks. This mini review includes most recent clinical studies and focuses on the effects of physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, and combination of both physical and cognitive training on protection and rescue cognitive decline in people with AD.