Neurofeedback to Improve Working Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Running, not enrolling · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Mild Cognitive Impairment
In brief
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been identified as an early phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder expected to affect 13.9 million Americans by 2060. AD causes a progressive cognitive decline, including problems related to learning and memory, that adversely affects life quality. Treatment intervention at the MCI stage of the disease could potentially slow down the rate at which people may convert from MCI to AD. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal activity in frontal regions of the brain is associated with cognitive deficits observed in AD. Furthermore, previous research has shown that neurofeedback (NFB) training targeting these regions can improve memory, making it a potential treatment for AD. NFB is a technique where an individual learns to change his/her brain function in a particular direction, once that function has been made accessible through a visual or auditory metaphor. We are proposing a novel, computer-based brain-training program to enhance frontal gamma oscillatory activity in individuals with MCI. Results from this study will build the scientific foundation necessary for larger clinical trials dedicated to improving treatment options and outcomes for patients with MCI.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT04566900
- Run by
- University of California, San Diego
- People needed
- 112
- Starts
- 2021-01-01
- Expected to finish
- 2026-08-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-07-10
Who can join
Age: 50 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Meet criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
- Living independently.
- Literate in English.
- Competent to participate in the informed consent process and provide voluntary informed consent.
You may not qualify if…
- Frontal temporal dementia
- Active alcohol or substance use disorder within the past year.
- Brain cancer
- Stroke within the last 2 years
- Anti-epileptic medication
- Prior head injury involving loss of consciousness
- Seizure disorder
- Use of medications likely to affect cognitive function (cf. donepezil, memantine). We will not exclude for other medications but will examine their effects and include medications as covariates as appropriate (e.g., presence v. absence; anticholinergic load).
- The potential benefits of the study do not outweigh the potential risks of the study, as determined by the PI.
Where it is running
- University of California at San Diego — La Jolla, California, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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