title: The Memory Aid study: protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of computer-based working memory training in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by memory problems that are more severe than the normal cognitive changes due to aging, but less severe than dementia. Reduced working memory (WM) is regarded as one of the core symptoms of an MCI condition. Recent studies have indicated that WM can be improved through computer-based training. The objective of this study is to evaluate if WM training is effective in improving cognitive function in elderly patients with MCI, and if cognitive training induces structural changes in the white and gray matter of the brain, as assessed by structural MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  The proposed study is a blinded, randomized, controlled trail that will include 90 elderly patients diagnosed with MCI at a hospital-based memory clinic. The participants will be randomized to either a training program or a placebo version of the program. The intervention is computerized WM training performed for 45 minutes of 25 sessions over 5 weeks. The placebo version is identical in duration but is non-adaptive in the difficulty level of the tasks. Neuropsychological assessment and structural MRI will be performed before and 1 month after training, and at a 5-month folllow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If computer-based training results in positive changes to memory functions in patients with MCI this may represent a new, cost-effective treatment for MCI. Secondly, evaluation of any training-induced structural changes to gray or white matter will improve the current understanding of the mechanisms behind effective cognitive interventions in patients with MCI.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01991405. November 18, 2013.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Geriatric Unity, The Memory Clinic, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway. marianne.moretro.flak@sshf.no.
authors.forename: Marianne M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Flak
authors.forename: Susanne S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hernes
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Douet
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skranes
authors.forename: Gro C C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Løhaugen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003071:Cognition; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009664:Norway; D012107:Research Design; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome