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Brain Sciences
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Cognition and Cognitive Training in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Cognition and Cognitive Training in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurodegenerative Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2024) | Viewed by 6965

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Cavallo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, CO, Italy
Interests: clinical neuropsychology; behavioral neuroscience; eye tracking; neurodegenerative disorders; neuropsychological rehabilitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Stefano Lasaponara

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Psychology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: attention and awareness; decision making; EEG; neuropsychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis are a health priority throughout the world with huge medical, psychological and economic repercussions. Their prevalence and incidence have increased with age over recent decades, and they are expected to continue to grow in the near future.

As no effective treatments for cognitive symptoms are currently available, various studies have started to investigate the potential contribution of cognitive training (CT) in contrasting patients’ cognitive decay. However, to date the evidence supporting CT efficacy and effectiveness is weak and definitely needs to be fostered.

In this Special Issue, we are interested in studies focused on the application of CT to pathological cognitive ageing. We aim to attract empirical articles investigating the impact of paper-and-pencil and/or more technologically advanced training (i.e., computerized CT, virtual reality training, training based on neuromodulation tools, and so on) on main cognitive domains (i.e., memory, language, temporal and spatial orientation, attention, concentration, and executive functions) in patients affected by neurodegenerative conditions. Studies recruiting large samples of participants and/or adopting a longitudinal perspective are strongly encouraged. Review articles on the current state of the art in this field are also welcome.

Potential topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Computerized cognitive stimulation studies in neurodegenerative diseases;
  • Studies using virtual reality technologies for cognitive stimulation purposes of neurodegenerative patients;
  • Neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and optical imaging studies of cognitive stimulation in dementias, other neurodegenerative conditions;
  • Empirical studies using novel technologies to assist cognitively impaired patients;
  • Long-term studies on the differences in quality of different cognitive stimulation techniques for patients with neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr. Marco Cavallo
Dr. Stefano Lasaponara
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cognitive training
  • neuroimaging
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • neuromodulation
  • virtual reality

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 512 KiB  
Article
Examining Specific Theory-of-Mind Aspects in Amnestic and Non-Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: Their Relationships with Sleep Duration and Cognitive Planning
by Areti Batzikosta, Despina Moraitou, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Georgia Papantoniou, Georgios A. Kougioumtzis, Ioanna-Giannoula Katsouri, Maria Sofologi and Magda Tsolaki
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15010057 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 685
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The study examined the relationships between specific Theory-of-Mind (ToM) dimensions, cognitive planning, and sleep duration in aging adults. Methods: The sample included 179 participants, comprising 46 cognitively healthy individuals, 75 diagnosed with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), and 58 with non-amnestic (naMCI). [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The study examined the relationships between specific Theory-of-Mind (ToM) dimensions, cognitive planning, and sleep duration in aging adults. Methods: The sample included 179 participants, comprising 46 cognitively healthy individuals, 75 diagnosed with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), and 58 with non-amnestic (naMCI). The mean age of the participants was 70.23 years (SD = 4.74), with a mean educational attainment of 12.35 years (SD = 3.22) and gender distribution of 53 men and 126 women. ToM assessment included tasks measuring the understanding and interpretation of non-literal speech, proverbs and metaphors, as well as an emotion-recognition test. For cognitive planning, a Tower Test was utilized. Sleep duration was measured using actigraphy. Results: We identified significant differences in various ToM tasks’ performance between the groups, particularly in non-literal speech tasks and third-order ToM stories. The HC group consistently outperformed both MCI groups in these tasks, with aMCI showing higher performance than naMCI. Mediation analysis applied to examine potential direct and indirect effects of sleep duration on ToM tasks indicated that total sleep time had significant indirect effects through cognitive planning—mainly as rule violation total score—on specific ToM aspects. Hence, besides the effects of MCI pathologies and especially of naMCI, sleep duration seems also to be associated with ToM performance in aging via specific executive functioning decrements. Conclusions: The findings underscore the social implications of ToM deficits due to MCI and/or sleep duration decrease, particularly in naMCI older adults, as they can seriously impair their social interactions. Targeted interventions could improve emotional understanding, communication, and overall quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognition and Cognitive Training in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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13 pages, 646 KiB  
Article
Combined Effect of tDCS and Motor or Cognitive Activity in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Proof-of-Concept Pilot Study
by Cristina Fonte, Giorgia Rotundo, Valentina Varalta, Angelica Filosa, Ettore Muti, Cosimo Barletta, Elisa Evangelista, Massimo Venturelli, Alessandro Picelli and Nicola Smania
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1099; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111099 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 872
Abstract
(1) Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for 70% of dementia cases and with no effective pharmacological treatments, new rehabilitation methods are needed. Motor and cognitive activities and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown promise in stabilizing and enhancing cognitive functions. Objective: we [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for 70% of dementia cases and with no effective pharmacological treatments, new rehabilitation methods are needed. Motor and cognitive activities and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown promise in stabilizing and enhancing cognitive functions. Objective: we want to investigate the effects of tDCS combined with motor or cognitive activity on cognitive functions in AD patients. (2) Methods: Patients with mild or moderate AD were randomized between anodic tDCS groups (MotA or CogA) and sham tDCS groups (MotS or CogS). They received two weeks of treatment (45 min, five days/week), with the first 15 min using tDCS stimulation on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Cognitive assessments were conducted pre-treatment (T0), post-treatment (T1), and one week after (T2). (3) Results: Twenty-three patients were included. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between anodic tDCS groups (MotA + CogA) and sham tDCS groups (MotS + CogS) with advantages for the first in improving global cognitive status (p = 0.042), selective attention (p = 0.012), and sustained attention (p = 0.012). Further analysis indicated no differences between the two anodic tDCS groups between T0 and T1. (4) Conclusions: combined anodal tDCS with motor or cognitive activity could improve global cognitive state and attention, slowing cognitive decline in AD patients. The trial was registered on Clinical Trials: NCT06619795. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognition and Cognitive Training in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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14 pages, 895 KiB  
Article
Virtual Reality-Based Psychoeducation for Dementia Caregivers: The Link between Caregivers’ Characteristics and Their Sense of Presence
by Francesca Morganti, Maria Gattuso, Claudio Singh Solorzano, Cristina Bonomini, Sandra Rosini, Clarissa Ferrari, Michela Pievani and Cristina Festari
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(9), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14090852 - 23 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1231
Abstract
In neuropsychology and clinical psychology, the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) experiences for knowledge acquisition and the potential for modifying conduct are well documented. Consequently, the scope of VR experiences for educational purposes has expanded in the health field in recent years. In [...] Read more.
In neuropsychology and clinical psychology, the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) experiences for knowledge acquisition and the potential for modifying conduct are well documented. Consequently, the scope of VR experiences for educational purposes has expanded in the health field in recent years. In this study, we sought to assess the effectiveness of ViveDe in a psychoeducational caregiver program. ViveDe is a VR application that presents users with possible daily life situations from the perspective of individuals with dementia. These situations can be experienced in immersive mode through 360° video. This research aimed to ascertain the associations between the sense of presence that can be achieved in VR and some users’ psychological characteristics, such as distress and empathetic disposition. The study involved 36 informal caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. These participants were assessed using scales of anxiety and depression, perceived stress, empathy, and emotional regulation. They were asked to participate in a six-session psychoeducation program conducted online on dementia topics, in addition to experiencing the ViveDe application. The immersive VR sessions enabled the caregivers to directly experience the symptoms of dementia (e.g., spatial disorientation, agnosia, difficulty in problem-solving, and anomia) in everyday and social settings. The results indicated that although the experience in ViveDe (evaluated using the XRPS scale and five questions about emotional attunement) showed efficacy in producing a sense of first-person participation in the symptoms of dementia, further research is needed to confirm this. The structural equation model provided evidence that the characteristics of individuals who enjoy the VR experience play a determining role in the perceived sense of presence, which in turn affects the efficacy of the VR experience as a psychoeducational tool. Further research will be conducted to ascertain the potential role of these elements in conveying change in the caregivers of people with dementia. This will help us study the long-term effectiveness of a large-scale psychoeducation program in VR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognition and Cognitive Training in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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18 pages, 1281 KiB  
Article
The Relationships of Specific Cognitive Control Abilities with Objective and Subjective Sleep Parameters in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Revealing the Association between Cognitive Planning and Sleep Duration
by Areti Batzikosta, Despina Moraitou, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Georgia Papantoniou, Georgios A. Kougioumtzis, Ioanna-Giannoula Katsouri, Maria Sofologi and Magda Tsolaki
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(8), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080813 - 14 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2233
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the associations between specific sleep parameters and specific aspects of cognitive functioning in individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), compared with healthy controls (HCs) by using cognitive, subjective, and objective sleep measures. A total of 179 participants [...] Read more.
This study aimed to examine the associations between specific sleep parameters and specific aspects of cognitive functioning in individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), compared with healthy controls (HCs) by using cognitive, subjective, and objective sleep measures. A total of 179 participants were enrolled, all aged ≥ 65 years (mean age = 70.23; SD = 4.74) and with a minimum of six years of education (mean = 12.35; SD = 3.22). The sample included 46 HCs (36 females), 75 individuals with amnestic MCI (aMCI) (51 females), and 58 individuals with non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) (39 females). Inhibition, cognitive flexibility as a combined application of inhibitory control and set shifting or task/rule switching, and planning were examined. The following D-KEFS subtests were administered for their evaluation: Verbal Fluency Test, Color–Word Interference Test, and Tower Test. Self-reported sleep questionnaires (Athens Insomnia Scale, Stop-Bang questionnaire, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index) were used for subjective sleep assessments. Actigraphy was used for objective sleep measurements. Mixed-measures ANOVA, MANOVA, and one-way ANOVA, as well as the Scheffe post hoc test, were applied to the data. The results showed that the three groups exhibited statistically significant differences in the Tower Test (total achievement score, total number of administered problems, and total rule violations). As regards objective sleep measurements, the total sleep time (TST) was measured using actigraphy, and indicated that there are significant differences, with the HC group having a significantly higher mean TST compared to the naMCI group. The relationships evaluated in the TST Tower Test were found to be statistically significant. The findings are discussed in the context of potential parameters that can support the connection between sleep duration, measured as TST, and cognitive planning, as measured using the Tower Test. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognition and Cognitive Training in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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15 pages, 501 KiB  
Article
“Build Your Village”—Conducting the Village Test on Cognitively Impaired Patients: A First Journey into Alzheimerland
by Michelangelo Stanzani-Maserati, Maddalena De Matteis, Luca Bosco, Flavia Baccari, Corrado Zenesini, Micaela Mitolo, Chiara La Morgia, Roberto Gallassi and Sabina Capellari
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(6), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14060523 - 21 May 2024
Viewed by 1109
Abstract
Background: This work aimed to study the Village Test (VT) in a group of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and compare the results with those of a group of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and controls. Methods: A total of 50 patients [...] Read more.
Background: This work aimed to study the Village Test (VT) in a group of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and compare the results with those of a group of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and controls. Methods: A total of 50 patients with AD, 28 patients with MCI, and 38 controls were evaluated. All participants underwent the VT and an extensive neuropsychological evaluation. Results: The mean ages of the participants were 74.4 years for those with AD, 74 for those with MCI, and 70.2 for the controls. The AD group built smaller and essential villages with a scarce use of pieces, a poor use of dynamic pieces, and scarce use of human figures. All constructions were often concentrated in the center of the table. Conclusions: The villages built by the AD group represent a cognitive and affective coarctation and indicate a sense of existential disorientation and isolation. The VT is a useful aid for getting in touch with the inner emotional and existential states of patients with AD, and it could represent a complementary screening tool for orienting cognitive impairment diagnoses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognition and Cognitive Training in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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