The aim of this study is to investigate whether a combination of intensive training of visual-spatial abilities (LOCATO task) with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) leads to an improvement in learning and memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to examine the underlying neuronal mechanism.
Name: tDCS
Name: training
Description: Investigation whether the combination of intensive visual-spatial training (LOCATO task) and tDCS leads to improvement of visual-spatial learning and memory measured by performance in LOCATO task after end of a 3 day period of training compared to sham stimulation.
Measure: Performance in LOCATO task (Visual-spatial learning and memory) after a combination of intensive visual-spatial training and tDCS Time: immediately after end of a 3-day period of training in tDCS condition vs sham conditionDescription: long term effects measured by performance in LOCATO task in tDCS condition after end of cognitve training and after 1 month compared to control conditions
Measure: long term effects Time: after 1 month vs baselineDescription: Connectivity (measured by resting-state fMRT and correlation analysis) at baseline compared to end of 3 day period of training
Measure: functional changes: Connectivity Time: end of 3-day cognitive training vs baselineDescription: cortical excitability measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Measure: cortical excitability Time: at baselineDescription: quality of life as measured by standardized questionaire at baseline compared to quality of life measured 1 month after intervention (training and stimulation vs. training and sham-stimualtion)
Measure: Quality of Life Time: after 1 month vs baselineDescription: memory performance tested at baseline compared to memory performance after the end of a 3-day cognitive training period and after 1 month (posttraining) in training and stimulation vs. training and sham stimulation
Measure: memory Time: immediately after end of 3-day of cognitive training, after 1 month vs. baselineDescription: affective state measured at baseline compared to affective state measured after the end of a 3-day cognitve training period and after 1 month (posttraining) in training and stimulation vs. training and sham stimulation
Measure: affective state Time: immediately after the end of 3-day cognitive training, after 1 month vs. baselineDescription: To assess predictors of positive reaction to brain stimulation, genotyping of several learning related polymorphisms will be performed (i.e., APOE, BDNF Val66Met, COMT Val158Met).
Measure: genotyping of learning related polymorphisms Time: onceAllocation: Randomized
Crossover Assignment
There are 2 SNPs
To assess predictors of positive reaction to brain stimulation, genotyping of several learning related polymorphisms will be performed (i.e., APOE, BDNF Val66Met, COMT Val158Met).. Inclusion Criteria (MCI patients): - right handedness - amnestic and amnestic plus MCI with: 1. subjective memory impairment; 2. objective memory difficulties, at least 1 SD below gender, age and education adjusted standard values; 3. relatively normal performance in other cognitive domains; 4. no constraints in activities of daily livings 5. age: 50-90 years Exclusion Criteria: - severe internal or psychiatric disease - epilepsy - other severe neurological diseases, e.g. --- Val66Met --- --- Val158Met ---
To assess predictors of positive reaction to brain stimulation, genotyping of several learning related polymorphisms will be performed (i.e., APOE, BDNF Val66Met, COMT Val158Met).. Inclusion Criteria (MCI patients): - right handedness - amnestic and amnestic plus MCI with: 1. subjective memory impairment; 2. objective memory difficulties, at least 1 SD below gender, age and education adjusted standard values; 3. relatively normal performance in other cognitive domains; 4. no constraints in activities of daily livings 5. age: 50-90 years Exclusion Criteria: - severe internal or psychiatric disease - epilepsy - other severe neurological diseases, e.g. --- Val66Met ---