Mental exercise

Abstract: Prior research has found that cognitive benefits of physical exercise and brain health in older adults may be enhanced when mental exercise is interactive simultaneously, as in exergaming. It is unclear whether the cognitive benefit can be maximized by increasing the degree of mental challenge during exercise. This randomized clinical trial (RCT), the Aerobic and Cognitive Exercise Study (ACES) sought to replicate and extend prior findings of added cognitive benefit from exergaming to those with or at risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). ACES compares the effects of 6 months of an exer-tour (virtual reality bike rides) with the effects of a more effortful exer-score (pedaling through a videogame to score points). Fourteen community-dwelling older adults meeting screening criteria for MCI (sMCI) were adherent to their assigned exercise for 6 months. The primary outcome was executive function, while secondary outcomes included memory and everyday cognitive function. Exer-tour and exer-score yielded significant moderate effects on executive function (Stroop A/C; d's = 0.51 and 0.47); there was no significant interaction effect. However, after 3 months the exer-tour revealed a significant and moderate effect, while exer-score showed little impact, as did a game-only condition. Both exer-tour and exer-score conditions also resulted in significant improvements in verbal memory. Effects appear to generalize to self-reported everyday cognitive function. Pilot data, including salivary biomarkers and structural MRI, were gathered at baseline and 6 months; exercise dose was associated with increased BDNF as well as increased gray matter volume in the PFC and ACC. Improvement in memory was associated with an increase in the DLPFC. Improved executive function was associated with increased expression of exosomal miRNA-9. Interactive physical and cognitive exercise (both high and low mental challenge) yielded similarly significant cognitive benefit for adherent sMCI exercisers over 6 months. A larger RCT is needed to confirm these findings. Further innovation and clinical trial data are needed to develop accessible, yet engaging and effective interventions to combat cognitive decline for the growing MCI population. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02237560.

Abstract: Background Dementia is a growing health problem worldwide and in Australia. Little research has been conducted on dementia literacy in the community. Methods The aim of this study was to investigate the recognition of dementia and beliefs regarding prognosis, cause, and risk reduction in the Australian public. A cross-sectional telephone survey of 2,000 randomly selected community-dwelling adults (23.4% response rate) was conducted. Results Eighty-two percent of the sample correctly identified "dementia" or "Alzheimer's" from a vignette. There were no differences in recognition rates between vignettes describing mild or moderate dementia symptoms. Almost half thought that at least partial recovery would occur, given appropriate treatment. More than 80% of the sample thought that genetics, old age, brain disease, and stroke or mini-stroke contributed to a person getting dementia. Seventy-two percent thought that the risk of dementia could be reduced. The most frequently suggested methods for risk reduction were mental exercise (38.8%), eating healthily (31.0%), physical exercise (30.2%), and socializing more (13.9%). Sociodemographic characteristics were associated with dementia knowledge and beliefs. Conclusions The majority of the Australian public recognize the symptoms of dementia and think dementia risk can be reduced. However, most do not know of the association between dementia and cardiovascular factors. Public awareness campaigns need to increase accurate knowledge of factors consistently found to be associated with dementia.

Abstract: The disclosed invention primarily relates to methods for assisting and motivating persons with respect to various exercise and rehabilitation regimens they might undertake, mentally as well as physically. The invention also has potential application to for diagnosis and/or treatment of certain mental and physical disorders, and in other situations where a form of companionship may be provided the user. In addition the invention herein provides an enjoyable means of social interaction with others providing further motivation for physical and mental activity represented.

Abstract: The relationship between mental exercise and mental aging is a controversial issue People generally believe the so-called mental-exercise hypothesis, that is, the age-related decline in cognitive function is less pronounced for people who are mentally active, yet there is insufficient scientific evidence supporting this hypothesis Previous randomized controlled trial studies showed convincing beneficial effects of cognitive training on directly targeted cognitive functions In this study, we performed a single-blind, randomized controlled trial on cognitive intervention in 124 community-dwelling seniors (age range, 70 to 86) and estimated the beneficial effects of non-targeted cognitive functions As for cognitive intervention, the subjects were asked to solve systematized basic problems in reading and arithmetic every day for 6 months Neuropsychological measures were determined prior to and 6 months after the intervention (post-test) by mini-mental state examination (MMSE), frontal assessment battery at bed side (FAB), and digit-symbol substitution test (DST) of WAIS-R The FAB and DST scores showed a statistically significant (p<0001 and p<001, respectively) improvement in the post-test compared with the pre-test, such improvement was maintained up to 6 months of follow-up tests in only the experimental group The transfer effect of cognitive intervention by reading and solving arithmetic problems on non-targeted cognitive functions was demonstrated in this study This study shows that daily mental training can improve cognitive functions in normal adults Although general interests in brain training have been increasing in the public, evidence for its beneficial effects, particularly the positive transfer effect on non-targeted cognitive function still remains insufficient Here, we introduce a new cognitive intervention program for normal aged people, the concept of which is derived from the knowledge of both brain science and clinical studies We performed a carefully designed single-blind, randomized controlled study, and the results of this study showed convincing evidence that cognitive training provides the beneficial transfer effect