The role of cognitive activity in cognition protection: from Bedside to Bench

Abstract

BackgroundCognitive decline poses a great concern to elderly people and their families. In addition to pharmacological therapies, several varieties of nonpharmacological intervention have been developed. Most training trials proved that a well-organized task is clinically effective in cognition improvement.Main bodyWe will first review clinical trials of cognitive training for healthy elders, MCI and AD patients, respectively. Besides, potential neuroprotective and compensatory mechanisms in animal models of AD are discussed. Despite controversy, cognitive training has promising effect on cognitive ability. In animal model of AD, environmental enrichment showed beneficial effect for cognitive ability, as well as neuronal plasticity. Neurotrophin, neurotransmitter and neuromodulator signaling pathway were also involved in the process. Well-designed cognitive activity could benefit cognitive function, and thus life quality of patients and their families.ConclusionThe positive effects of cognitive activity is closely related with neural plasticity, neurotrophin, neurotransmitter and neuromodulator signaling pathway changes.

The Efficacy of Cognitive Intervention in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): a Meta-Analysis of Outcomes on Neuropsychological Measures

“…These results suggest that individuals with MCI who received multicomponent forms of training or used interventions which targeted multiple cognitive domains (including lifestyle changes) also demonstrated small – moderate improvements on measures of cognition post-intervention. This is consistent with other reviews which found support for multidomain forms of intervention (Ballesteros et al 2015 ; Bamidis et al 2014 ; Li et al 2011 , 2014 , 2017 ; Maffei et al 2017 ; Suo et al 2016 ; Yin et al 2014 ). Regarding the other interventions examined, there was insufficient evidence to offer greater clarification of effects by cognitive domain or type of training.…”

“…In this instance, training may act on primary networks and complementary processes simultaneously requiring integration of complex skillsets, including lifestyle changes, mitigating structural and functional declines by enhancing processing in specific centers and decreasing the neural burden on other areas (Barban et al 2017 ; Hosseini et al 2014 ; Suo et al 2016 ). Multidomain approaches may also target multiple neural regions for a more enriched and complex neural challenge (Ballesteros et al 2015 ; Li et al 2017 ). Moreover, multidomain approaches may offer greater utility as most cognitive skills are not unitary, single-domain processes but involve interrelated cognitive functions across several areas which, after training, prompt inclusion of additional networks (Belleville et al 2011 ).…”

Computerized cognitive training for Chinese mild cognitive impairment patients: A neuropsychological and fMRI study

“…Non-pharmacological interventions have shown advantages in delaying cognitive ability declining (Li et al, 2017). There are various approaches, including cognitive training, physical exercise, and diet modification (Olazaran et al, 2010; Buschert et al, 2010).…”

Study protocol of the self‐monitoring activity program: Effects of activity on incident dementia

“…These devices can be used separately or in combination with a computer, a smartphone, or an iPad when self-monitoring PA (PA selfmonitoring technologies). Compared to PA, fewer behavior change techniques for cognitive and social activities have been reported, although numerous studies have identified the relationships between these activities and health outcomes [6,7]. We showed that the probability of dementia is significantly lower in individuals who had an active lifestyle including daily conversation, driving a car, shopping, and field work or gardening using longitudinal observational data [8].…”

“…These devices can be used separately or in combination with a computer, a smartphone, or an iPad when self‐monitoring PA (PA self‐monitoring technologies). Compared to PA, fewer behavior change techniques for cognitive and social activities have been reported, although numerous studies have identified the relationships between these activities and health outcomes [6,7].…”