Sensory-cognitive and Physical Fitness Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Computer-based Sensory-cognitive and Physical Fitness Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Age-related cognitive decline is unavoidable. However, recent results of neuroplasticity-based research show that neuroplasticity-based training and physical activity might have the potential to decelerate or even reverse effects of aging and age-related cognitive impairments. Little is known whether these results also apply to pathological processes of aging such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

This multi-center study aims at investigating efficiency and feasibility of a neuroplasticity-based auditory discrimination training and a physical fitness training for patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease (Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE > 19). Evaluation will include neuropsychological testing, electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements as well as blood and liquor analyses.

Inclusion Criteria:

• focus: subjective and/or objective memory complaints with MMSE > 19 (MCI or mild Alzheimer's Disease, with stable medication for at least 3 months)
• mild to moderate depression
• corrected-to-normal hearing and vision
• for MRI: non-magnetic metals inside the body
• right handedness preferred

Exclusion Criteria:

• cognitive impairment/ dementia with MMSE < 20, severe psychiatric or neurological disease (current and lifetime)
• physical health that does not allow physical fitness tests and trainings
• benzodiazepin, tricyclic antidepressants
• for MRI: magnetic metal inside the body, cardiac pacemaker etc.
• for liquor: insufficient blood coagulation, insufficient brain pressure