A randomised double-blind trial of cognitive training for the prevention of psychopathology in at-risk youth.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of online cognitive training as a means of reducing psychopathology in at-risk youth.

Methods: In a double-blind randomised controlled trial, 228 youths (mean age = 18.6, 74.

Computerised cognitive training for 12 or more weeks for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in late life.

Background: Increasing age is associated with a natural decline in cognitive function and is the greatest risk factor for dementia. Cognitive decline and dementia are significant threats to independence and quality of life in older adults. Therefore, identifying interventions that help to maintain cognitive function in older adults or that reduce the risk of dementia is a research priority.

Hippocampal plasticity underpins long-term cognitive gains from resistance exercise in MCI.

Dementia affects 47 million individuals worldwide, and assuming the status quo is projected to rise to 150 million by 2050. Prevention of age-related cognitive impairment in older persons with lifestyle interventions continues to garner evidence but whether this can combat underlying neurodegeneration is unknown. The Study of Mental Activity and Resistance Training (SMART) trial has previously reported within-training findings; the aim of this study was to investigate the long-term neurostructural and cognitive impact of resistance exercise in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Training Combined with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: There is currently no effective intervention for improving memory in people at increased risk for dementia. Cognitive training (CT) has been promising, though effects are modest, particularly at follow-up.

Objective: To investigate whether adjunctive non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS) could enhance the memory benefits of CT in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).

Computerised cognitive training for preventing dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Background: The number of people living with dementia is increasing rapidly. Clinical dementia does not develop suddenly, but rather is preceded by a period of cognitive decline beyond normal age-related change. People at this intermediate stage between normal cognitive function and clinical dementia are often described as having mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Computerised cognitive training for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in midlife.

Background: Normal aging is associated with changes in cognitive function that are non-pathological and are not necessarily indicative of future neurocognitive disease. Low cognitive and brain reserve and limited cognitive stimulation are associated with increased risk of dementia. Emerging evidence now suggests that subtle cognitive changes, detectable years before criteria for mild cognitive impairment are met, may be predictive of future dementia.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children And Conversion to Multiport Appendectomy.

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) in the pediatric population has been well described. Our children's hospital has adopted this modality for nearly all appendectomies. From our center's experience, we hoped to identify factors that portend conversion from SILA to multiport appendectomy.

Evaluating brain-computer interface performance using color in the P300 checkerboard speller.

Objective: Current Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems typically flash an array of items from grey to white (GW). The objective of this study was to evaluate BCI performance using uniquely colored stimuli.

Methods: In addition to the GW stimuli, the current study tested two types of color stimuli (grey to color [GC] and color intensification [CI]).

Mediation of Cognitive Function Improvements by Strength Gains After Resistance Training in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Outcomes of the Study of Mental and Resistance Training.

Objectives: To determine whether improvements in aerobic capacity (VO ) and strength after progressive resistance training (PRT) mediate improvements in cognitive function.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, double-sham, controlled trial.

Setting: University research facility.

Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Preliminary Recommendations.

In subjective cognitive decline (SCD), older adults present with concerns about self-perceived cognitive decline but are found to have clinically normal function. However, a significant proportion of those adults are subsequently found to develop mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's dementia or other neurocognitive disorder. In other cases, SCD may be associated with mood, personality, and physical health concerns.

Midlife managerial experience is linked to late life hippocampal morphology and function.

An active cognitive lifestyle has been suggested to have a protective role in the long-term maintenance of cognition. Amongst healthy older adults, more managerial or supervisory experiences in midlife are linked to a slower hippocampal atrophy rate in late life. Yet whether similar links exist in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is not known, nor whether these differences have any functional implications.

Therapeutically relevant structural and functional mechanisms triggered by physical and cognitive exercise.

Physical and cognitive exercise may prevent or delay dementia in later life but the neural mechanisms underlying these therapeutic benefits are largely unknown. We examined structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain changes after 6 months of progressive resistance training (PRT), computerized cognitive training (CCT) or combined intervention. A total of 100 older individuals (68 females, average age=70.

A Neuropsychologist's Guide To Undertaking a Systematic Review for Publication: Making the most of PRISMA Guidelines.

There is increasing impetus to improve the quality of research and scientific writing. Systematic reviews provide Class 1 research evidence, are based upon an established rigor and communicate results in a comprehensive manner, and are therefore particularly relevant to clinicians and researchers. Clinician requirements for quality systematic reviews are twofold: to keep up to date with research and to make informed decisions including those required for diagnoses, disease or risk assessment, and treatment.

Computerized and on-line neuropsychological testing for late-life cognition and neurocognitive disorders: are we there yet?

Purpose Of Review: Cost-effective, valid, efficient and accessible tests for the detection of late-life neurocognitive disorders are crucial, as early identification facilitates appropriate early intervention. Proponents of computerized neuropsychological assessment devices (CNADs) assert that technology-based assessments improve upon traditional neuropsychological tests. However, there remain fundamental questions of validity, reliability, normative data and administration, raising the question of whether CNADs are appropriate alternatives.

The Study of Mental and Resistance Training (SMART) study—resistance training and/or cognitive training in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blind, double-sham controlled trial.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increases dementia risk with no pharmacologic treatment available.

Methods: The Study of Mental and Resistance Training was a randomized, double-blind, double-sham controlled trial of adults with MCI. Participants were randomized to 2 supervised interventions: active or sham physical training (high intensity progressive resistance training vs seated calisthenics) plus active or sham cognitive training (computerized, multidomain cognitive training vs watching videos/quizzes), 2-3 days/week for 6 months with 18-month follow-up.

Is cognitive training an effective treatment for preclinical and early Alzheimer's disease?

There is much interest in early intervention for the prevention or postponement of dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results of drug trials in this regard have thus far been disappointing, and non-pharmacological interventions are receiving increased attention. One such intervention is complex cognitive activity.

Psychological well-being in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Objectives: Cognitive impairments associated with aging and dementia are major sources of burden, deterioration in life quality, and reduced psychological well-being (PWB). Preventative measures to both reduce incident disease and improve PWB in those afflicted are increasingly targeting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at early disease stage. However, there is very limited information regarding the relationships between early cognitive changes and memory concern, and life quality and PWB in adults with MCI; furthermore, PWB outcomes are too commonly overlooked in intervention trials.