Boosting Brain Health: Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Neurodegenerative Disease.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia are becoming more common with an aging population, and the numbers are expected to rise. These conditions can have a significant impact on patients, family, and health care systems. Lifestyle changes including physical activity, nutrition, quality sleep, socialization, cognitive activity and mental stimulation, routine medical care, and mental health care have the potential to prevent cognitive and functional decline and optimize daily living in all individuals, including those with MCI and early neurodegenerative disease.

An interdisciplinary approach to the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of OEF/OIF Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury.

Objective: To implement an Integrated TBI Screening Clinic (ITSC) during the mandatory TBI evaluation process at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Referral outcomes were examined regarding Veterans who were determined to need a full neuropsychological evaluation versus those for whom mental health treatment was clinically indicated. Correlations among cognitive measures, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms were also examined.

Brain boosters: Evaluating a pilot program for memory complaints in veterans.

This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a pilot program designed to address subjective memory complaints among Veterans. The program, Brain Boosters, consisted of 10 once-weekly group sessions, during which psychoeducation and cognitive enhancement strategies were used to target memory concerns and related processes, specifically attentional difficulties. Given that memory complaints often are associated with psychiatric comorbidities, sessions also incorporated strategies for reducing symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress, and insomnia.

Feasibility test of preference-based insomnia treatment for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.

Purpose: The study determined the feasibility of implementing a brief, preference-based non-medication insomnia treatment for Iraq/Afghanistan war Veterans who experienced blast and/or other injuries resulting in an altered level of consciousness.

Methods: The study used a one-group pre-post design with a 3-month follow-up assessment. Forty-one veterans (two females, mean age 30.