Computerized Cognitive Training in Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDD2019)

The prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is expected to increase over the next years, in parallel to the aging of the world population. Therefore, research efforts need to be devoted to evaluate intervention strategies that delay the onset of cognitive decline. Given the paucity of pharmacological interventions, strategies for non-pharmacological enhancement, such as cognitive training, are receiving increasing attention. Moreover, the advances in the development of Information \& Communication Technologies (ICT) has recently prompted the possibility to develop computer-based solution, also called Serious Game (SG), for the training of one or more cognitive functions. This approach could help overcome the limits of traditional paper-and-pencil cognitive intervention techniques. However, the clinical, ethical, economic and research impact of the use of these computer-based solutions in these target populations is still under discussion. In order to acquire more academic and professional credibility and acceptance, researchers need to collect more data to test and evolve usability and usefulness of SG as clinical tools targeting people with dementia-related disorders. The general aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of a computer-supported Cognitive Training (CT) compared to a paper-and-pencil CT, in the early stage of neurodegenerative diseases. Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are enrolled and randomly assigned to the experimental group (CoRe software) or control group (paper-and-pencil CoRe version). All patients are evaluated before (T0) and after (T1) treatment with an exhaustive neuropsychological assessment. Furthermore, follow-up visits are scheduled 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T3) after the end of the treatment.