My Mind Project: the effects of cognitive training for elderly-the study protocol of a prospective randomized intervention study.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive decline and dementia represent a key problem for public health as they heavily impair social functioning and independent living. The development of new strategies to support recommendations for patients and their caregivers may represent an outstanding step forward.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the study protocol and methods of "My Mind Project: the effect of cognitive training for elderly" (Grant No. 154/GR-2009-1584108), which investigates, by the use of a multidisciplinary approach, the effects of a comprehensive cognitive training programme on performances in aged subjects with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive functioning.


METHODS
The study is a prospective randomized intervention for the assessment of cognitive training effects in three groups of elderly subjects with different cognitive status. A total of 321 elderly people were enrolled in Marche Region, Italy. Each subject was randomly assigned to an experimental group or to a control group. Cognitive performances and biochemical blood markers have also been analysed before cognitive training (baseline), immediately after termination (follow-up 1), after 6 months (follow-up 2) and after 2 years (follow-up 3).


CONCLUSIONS
The results will be useful to identify some efficient programmes for the enhancement of cognitive performance in elderly with and without cognitive decline.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of a non-pharmacological approach in the treatment of elderly with cognitive disorders could have a profound impact on National Health Service.
Geriatrics Operative Unit, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA) IRCCS, Contrada Mossa, 63900, Fermo, Italy. c.giuli@inrca.it.
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Giuli
Center for Neurobiology of Aging, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
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Fattoretti
Centre of Socio-Economic Gerontological Research, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via S. Margherita, Ancona, Italy.
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Gagliardi
Nutrition and Aging Centre, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
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Mocchegiani
Biochemical Operative Unit, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), Contrada Mossa, Fermo, Italy.
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Venarucci
Center for Neurobiology of Aging, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
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Balietti
Center for Neurobiology of Aging, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
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Casoli
Nutrition and Aging Centre, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
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Costarelli
Nutrition and Aging Centre, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
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Giacconi
Nutrition and Aging Centre, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
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Malavolta
Centre of Socio-Economic Gerontological Research, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via S. Margherita, Ancona, Italy.
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Papa
Scientific Direction, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via S. Margherita, Ancona, Italy.
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Lattanzio
Geriatrics Operative Unit, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA) IRCCS, Contrada Mossa, 63900, Fermo, Italy.
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Postacchini
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008568:Memory; D011446:Prospective Studies
Alzheimer’s disease; Biomarkers; Cognitive training; Elderly people; Mild cognitive impairment