Einfluss transkranieller Gleichstromstimulation auf Gedächtniskonsolidierung und neuronale Strukturen bei Patienten mit "Mild Cognitive Impairment"
Final Report Abstract
Object-location memory (OLM) is known to decline with normal aging, a process accelerated in pathological conditions like mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In order to delay the transition from healthy to pathological conditions, novel strategies are being explored. Here we tested non-invasive brain stimulation (anodal transcranial direct current stimulation, atDCS) as promising tool to enhance the effect of cognitive training. Therefore, older adults with and without memory impairment underwent a 3-day OLM-training together with atDCS or sham stimulation in a cross-over design. Memory consolidation were tested 1-day after each training session as well as 1 month post-training. In sum, preliminary data did not support a general memory enhancing effect by combined intervention (stimulation applied to cognitive training) for healthy older adults or MCI. However, high inter-subject variability (especially in MCI) and strong cognitive training effects might have masked atDCS-related effects. More delineation and systematic research of modulating factors are important in future studies to develop individualized protocols with the ultimate goal to use atDCs as effective adjuvant therapy to counteract age-associated cognitive decline.
Publications
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(2014) An object location memory paradigm for older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment. J Neurosci Methods 237, 16-25
Kulzow N, Kerti L, Witte VA, Kopp U, Breitenstein C, Floel A
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(2015) Potentials and limits to enhance cognitive functions in healthy and pathological aging by tDCS. Front Cell Neurosci 9, 355
Prehn K, Floel A
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(2016) Hippocampal Pathway Plasticity Is Associated with the Ability to Form Novel Memories in Older Adults. Front Aging Neurosci 8, 61
Antonenko D, Kulzow N, Cesarz ME, Schindler K, Grittner U, Floel A
