Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback in Patients With MCI

Summary

Increased activity in the hippocampus (i.e., hyperactivity) during a fMRI memory task was found in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (MCI). Those with increased hippocampal activity exhibited elevated clinical progression. Reducing hippocampal hyperactivity with pharmacological treatment reduced hyperactivity and improved memory performance. The investigators of this study will test whether real-time fMRI neurofeedback will also downregulate hippocampal activity and thereby improve memory performance.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

OTHER

real-time fMRI based neurofeedback from the hippocampus

During real-time fMRI neurofeedback, participants are trained to 'control' hippocampal activity. The training is accomplished by continuously measuring brain activity, analysing it in real-time, and then providing feedback about the current (and the targeted) brain activity to the participant.

OTHER

real-time fMRI based neurofeedback from another brain area

During real-time fMRI neurofeedback, participants are trained to 'control' hippocampal activity. The training is accomplished by continuously measuring brain activity, analysing it in real-time, and then providing feedback about the current (and the targeted) brain activity to the participant.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Zurich

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Bern

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jessica Peter, PD Dr. · University of Bern

• Stefan Klöppel, Prof. Dr. · University of Bern

• Frank Scharnowski, Prof. Dr. · University of Vienna

• Roland Wiest, Prof. Dr. · University of Bern

• Katharina Klink · University of Bern

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-07-01

Primary Completion

2023-10-31

Completion

2024-01-31

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations