Actively Recruiting
Spatial Memory Training and Cognitive Function
Led by Douglas Mental Health University Institute · Updated on 2025-07-23
80
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
289 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
D
Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Lead Sponsor
C
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with MCI have subjective memory complaints corroborated by standard neuropsychological tests but remain functionally autonomous. One of the first brain regions to show AD pathology is the hippocampus (HPC). Reduction in HPC volume is a strong predictor of AD dementia. Therefore, improvement or restoration of HPC structure and function is thus an attractive target for improvement in memory and AD prevention strategies. In the current study, the investigators propose to examine the effects of a 3-month long spatial memory program on spatial memory and the hippocampus in patients diagnosed with MCI. Neuropsychological tests are also administered before and after the training to assess the effects of the intervention on cognition. In our previous research, the investigators have shown that spatial memory intervention program (SMIP) improves cognition and hippocampal based spatial memory compared to controls.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Spatial Memory Training and Cognitive Function
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 55 years and above
- Primary language is English or French
- Diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
You will not qualify if you...
- Current post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or substance use disorder
- Significant heart disease such as stroke in the past 5 years or unstable cardiac disease
- Severe depression or Geriatric Depression Scale score greater than 12
- Current insomnia disorder
- Use of sleep medications or antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication for less than 3 months
- Use of analgesics with codeine or other opioids
- Past or current use of antipsychotic medication
- History of brain surgery or electroconvulsive therapy
- Self-reported color blindness
- General anesthesia in the past year
- Current smoker
- Traumatic brain injury in the last 24 months
- Motion sickness or intolerance to virtual reality tasks
- Recent or changing cholesterol or hypertension medication
- History or presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders other than MCI compromising safety or study objectives
- Severe medical conditions affecting safety or study objectives
- Severe menopausal symptoms in females (Greene climacteric scale over 15)
- Use of computer games designed to help memory or cognition
- Any medical or psychological condition compromising study objectives
- Contraindications for MRI scanning
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Verdun, Quebec, Canada, H4G 3E8
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Daniel R Saumier, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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