Computerized serious game‐based cognitive training combined with tDCS for apathy treatment in Mild Neurocognitive Disorders

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundApathy is a clinical syndrome, associated with numerous adverse outcomes, which is pervasive in neurocognitive disorders. Neural bases of apathy rest on dysfunctions of brain structures involved in initiation, execution and control of goal directed behavior, and notably implicate dysfunction of cognitive functions which are required to generate plan of actions. Cognitive training has shown efficacious effects in mild cognitive disorders, and non‐invasive brain stimulation seems to be a promising intervention for cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms, as suggested by the benefit effects found on depression. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of repeated sessions of computerized serious game‐based cognitive training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on apathy among older adults with neurocognitive disorders.MethodThe study is an ongoing double‐blind randomized controlled trial. Patients are randomized into a 4‐week intervention of computerized “MeMo” serious game‐based cognitive training combined with either sham or active tDCS. The 4‐week intervention comprise 3 sessions per week, with 20 minutes of cognitive training plus simultaneously sham or active tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with a 2mA of current intensity. The main outcome was the apathy, assessed using the Apathy Diagnostic Criteria, the Apathy Inventory and the self‐reported Apathy Motivation Index questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are cognitive performances, fatigue and daily motor activity.ResultPreliminary results of the ongoing study will be presented during the AAIC.ConclusionThese results will provide new evidence about the interest to use combined cognitive training and tDCS as neurorehabilitation intervention, for cognition and apathy treatment in mild neurocognitive disorders.