title: Nurse-Enhanced Computerized Cognitive Training Increases Serum Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Levels and Improves Working Memory in Heart Failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Memory loss is common in heart failure (HF) patients, but few interventions have been tested to treat it. The objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy of a cognitive training intervention, Brain Fitness, to improve memory, serum brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) levels, working memory, processing speed, executive function, instrumental activities of daily living, mobility, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven HF patients were randomly assigned to Brain Fitness and health education active control interventions. Data were collected at baseline and 8 and 12 weeks. Linear mixed models analyses were completed. Patients in the Brain Fitness group were older with lower ejection fraction. At 12 weeks, a group by time interaction effect was found for serum BDNF levels (P = .011): serum BDNF levels increased among patients who completed Brain Fitness and decreased among patients who completed health education. No differences were found in memory, but a group by time interaction (P = .046) effect was found for working memory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support efficacy of Brain Fitness in improving working memory and serum BDNF levels as a biomarker of intervention response. A randomized controlled study is needed among a larger more diverse group of HF patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: spressle@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pressler
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Titler
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Cardiology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Todd M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Koelling
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Penny L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Miyeon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoyland-Domenico
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ronis
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Dean G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Barry E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Bleske
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing and Program in Neuroscience, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Dorsey
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Section, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neurology, Department of Psychology, and University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giordani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
keywords: BDNF; Memory loss; computerized cognitive training; health-related quality of life