老年人认知改善的心理训练:我们从临床和神经生理学研究中学到了什么？

Title:Mental Training for Cognitive Improvement in Elderly People: What have We Learned from Clinical and Neurophysiologic Studies?

Volume: 12 Issue: 6

Author(s): Bin-Yin Li, Hui-Dong Tang, Yuan Qiao and Sheng-Di Chen

Affiliation:

关键词: 阿尔茨海默氏病、心理训练、轻度认知功能障碍、神经可塑性、神经再生。

摘要: Cognitive impairment is a major concern in elderly people, and a variety of nonpharmacological therapies (NPTs) have been developed to help with cognitive decline. One of the most popular therapies is cognitive training, which includes pencil-and-paper puzzles, computerized games, or the combination of the two. Training is designed to have participants perform diverse exercises in one or more cognitive domains. Most clinical training trials indicate that well-organized tasks are clinically effective for cognitive improvement. Neural plasticity is a probable explanation for positive training effects. EEG and fMRI research show that the electrical activity and metabolism of specific brain areas are changed, and these changes are retained for a long period after training. Studies on mice to uncover the cellular and molecular changes underlying neural connectivity have found effective changes in brain networks after learning or training. Rac1 and NMDA receptors are thought to be involved in hippocampal neurogenesis, which is induced by learning. Here we review clinical trials of cognitive training, published during the last five years, and summarized some important characteristics of training tasks design. The probable role of neuronal plasticity and molecular mechanisms in training effects also are discussed. Most importantly, we discuss key ways to modifying the design of tasks based on studies we review. This review mainly identifies and discusses the reasons for positive training effects on cognition from clinical and neurophysiological perspectives. Based on the findings and their related mechanisms, further studies should design more effective and specific training tasks.

Cite this article as:

Bin-Yin Li, Hui-Dong Tang, Yuan Qiao and Sheng-Di Chen , Mental Training for Cognitive Improvement in Elderly People: What have We Learned from Clinical and Neurophysiologic Studies?, Current Alzheimer Research 2015; 12 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720501206150716112918