Dataset Information

Improved connectivity and cognition due to cognitive stimulation in Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the limited efficacy of pharmacological treatment, the interest in non-pharmacological interventions, e.g., cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), to improve cognitive dysfunction and the quality of life of AD patients are on a steady rise.

Objectives

Here, we examined the efficacy of a CST program specifically conceptualized for AD dementia patients and the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive or behavioral benefits of CST.

Methods

Using neuropsychological tests and MRI-based measurements of functional connectivity, we examined the (neuro-) psychological status and network changes at two time points: pre vs. post-stimulation (8 to 12 weeks) in the intervention group (n = 15) who received the CST versus a no-intervention control group (n = 15).

Results

After CST, we observed significant improvement in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subsection (ADAS-cog), and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) scores. These cognitive improvements were associated with an up-regulated functional connectivity between the left posterior hippocampus and the trunk of the left postcentral gyrus.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that CST seems to induce short-term global cognition and behavior improvements in mild to moderate AD dementia and enhances resting-state functional connectivity in learning- and memory-associated brain regions. These convergent results prove that even in mild to moderate dementia AD, neuroplasticity can be harnessed to alleviate cognitive impairment with CST.

SUBMITTER: Behfar Q

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10470843 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Improved connectivity and cognition due to cognitive stimulation in Alzheimer's disease.

Behfar Qumars Q Richter Nils N Kural Merve M Clemens Anne A Behfar Stefan Kambiz SK Folkerts Ann-Kristin AK Fassbender Ronja R Kalbe Elke E Fink Gereon R GR Onur Oezguer A OA

Frontiers in aging neuroscience 20230817

<h4>Background</h4>Due to the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the limited efficacy of pharmacological treatment, the interest in non-pharmacological interventions, e.g., cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), to improve cognitive dysfunction and the quality of life of AD patients are on a steady rise.<h4>Objectives</h4>Here, we examined the efficacy of a CST program specifically conceptualized for AD dementia patients and the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive or behavior ...[more]

PMID: 37662551

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Dataset Information

Improved connectivity and cognition due to cognitive stimulation in Alzheimer's disease.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Improved connectivity and cognition due to cognitive stimulation in Alzheimer's disease.

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