Cognitive Training and Long Term Follow-Up in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

VERONICA VILLAR, GALENO ROJAS, PAULA HARRIS, CECILIA SERRANO, CAROL DILLON, MONICA ITURRY, LEONARDO BARTOLONI, RICARDO ALLEGRI

Congreso; Annual Meeting American Academy of Neurology; 2010

Background:  Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional state between normal aging and dementia. Identifying this condition would allow early interventions that may reduce the rate of progression to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of six months cognitive training program (CTP) in patients with MCI. Design and Methods:  Forty six MCI subjects assessed with neuropsychological, neurological, neuropsychiatry and functional assessment were included in this study and followed up during a year. The sample was randomized in two subgroups: twenty four participants (the “trained group”) underwent CTP while twenty two (control group) received no treatment. Sixteen were dropped out. The intervention focused on teaching cognitive strategies two hours twice a week. Global Cognitive (Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE)) and Functional (Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR)) measures were used as primary outcome measures. Results: The intervention effect (mean change from baseline to final assessment) was significant (p<.05) on MMSE (1.74), CDR (0.14), BNT (2,92), block design (-13,66), matrix reasoning (-3,07), and semantic fluency (-3,071). Four patients (1 trained and 3 non trained) progressed to dementia. Conclusions: These results suggest that persons with MCI can improve their performance on cognitive and functional measures when provided with early cognitive training and it could persist in a long term follow-up.