Cognitive Training in Patients With MCI Using fMRI

Cognitive Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment Using fMRI.

The current project aims to investigate the trajectories of the visual imaging cognitive training (CT) and alphabet search training using fMRI in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy elderly controls (HE). MCI patients will be grouped according to biomarkers (PET PIB).

We will include 40 subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) multiple domain clinical diagnostic, over 60 years old, recruited through the outpatient clinic of University of Sao Paulo General Hospital. We will also include 20 healthy subjects, over 60 years old, recruited in the community. All the participants will be evaluated by neurologists specialized in cognitive neurology and subjected to a neuropsychological assessment. The 40 participants with MCI and 20 healthy subjects will receive 6 sessions of visual imaging training. After this first study, they will receive cognitive training with alphabet search training. This will be a longitudinal study. MCI patients will be grouped according to biomarkers (PET PIB).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Portuguese as native and preferred language; A minimum of 4 years of education; MRI-compatible; Right-handed individuals; Normal corrected vision and hearing; Estimated intelligence average or above (≥ 80 IQ);

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neurological disorder, severe mental illness; Current untreated alcohol or substance abuse; Medical conditions that compromise in any way the central nervous system; Presence of visual impairment and / or hearing to preclude cognitive testing; Presence of contraindications to MRI exam; Findings in structural MRI that can interfere with the results of the study