Cognitive and Neural Effects of Vision‐Based Speed‐of‐Processing Training in Older Adults with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives Vision-based speed of processing (VSOP) training is a promising cognitive intervention for older adults. However, it is unknown whether VSOP training can affect cognitive processing in individuals at high risk for dementia. Here, we examined cognitive and neural effects of VSOP training in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and contrasted those effects with an active control (mental leisure activities; MLA). Design A randomized single-blinded controlled pilot trial. Setting An academic medical center. Participants Twenty-one participants with aMCI. Intervention A 6-week computerized VSOP training. Measurements Multiple cognitive processing measures, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and two key resting state neural networks regulating cognitive processing: central executive network (CEN) and default mode network (DMN). Results We found that, compared to MLA control, VSOP training led to significant improvements in trained (processing speed and attention: F1,19 = 6.61, Partial η2 = 0.26, p = .019) and untrained cognitive domains (working memory: F1,19 = 7.33, Partial η2 = 0.28, p = .014; IADL: F1,19 = 5.16, Partial η2 = 0.21, p = .035), and protective maintenance in DMN (F1, 9 = 14.63, Partial η2 = 0.62, p = .004). Additionally, VSOP training, but not MLA, resulted in a significant improvement in CEN connectivity (Z = −2.37, p = .018). Conclusion We identified both target and transfer effects of VSOP training and revealed links between VSOP training and two key neural networks associated with aMCI. These findings highlight the potential of VSOP training to slow cognitive decline in aMCI. Further delineation of mechanisms underlying VSOP-induced plasticity is necessary to understand in what populations and conditions such training may be most effective.

The cingulate cortex of older adults with excellent memory capacity

“…Such findings were consistent with the interaction effects found between FC and amyloid deposition described above, which suggest CC-involved neural function may protect against AD pathology, instead of the clinical phenotypes. Neuroplasticity is inducible in CC such that the cingulate cortex can be modified by life style or behavioral factors (Lin et al, 2016), and the activation and functional connectivity of ACC and PCC involved network (e.g. DMN) are critical in maintaining cognitive reserve (Bozzali et al, 2015; Sumowski, Wylie, Deluca, & Chiaravalloti, 2010).…”

Amygdala functional connectivity is associated with locus of control in the context of cognitive aging

“…Such a process may affect how MCI patients perceive their own capacity, or internal LOC, more than perceptions that other forces outside them shape their cognitive competence (external LOC). A recent cognitive training, particularly relevant to executive function, has been effective in modifying internal but not external LOC (Wolinsky, et al, 2010), while such training has been shown to modify PFC among MCI patients (Lin, et al, 2016). This may provide a new therapeutic target for modifying cognitive decline in aging.…”

A Role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System in Cognitive Training

“…Growing use of cognitive training interventions [1-3] urges the understanding of the physiological mechanisms that account for the observed training effects. Work addressing this question has been largely limited to the central nervous system [3-5], neglecting the important role the peripheral nervous system plays in supporting cognitive function [6].…”

“…Work addressing this question has been largely limited to the central nervous system [3-5], neglecting the important role the peripheral nervous system plays in supporting cognitive function [6]. Here, we examine the potential predictive role of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) in training-induced plasticity for older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).…”

“…Adults with aMCI have ample room for cognitive improvements, which also makes this population suitable for studying the mechanisms of cognitive training. We recently showed that vision-based speed of processing (VSOP) training, a cognitive training paradigm addressing processing speed and attention widely used in healthy older adults [8], can result in improvements across a broad range of cognitive domains in aMCI [3]. Here, working with the same cohort of subjects, we aimed to investigate the role of PNS in cognitive and neural improvements resulting from VSOP training [3].…”