Effects of a Complex Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease

A recent meta-analysis that included over 29.000 individuals found that the odds ratio (OR) of individuals with high brain reserve compared to low was 0.54 (p < 0.0001), a risk decrease of 46%. Among the factors that influence cognitive reserve, mentally stimulating activities was the most robust factor after controlling for education, age, occupation and other potential confounds. The brain reserve effect was sustained over a median longitudinal follow-up of 7 years. It would be interesting to detect whether a complex cognitive training could show similar effects on the cognitive abilities of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as it has been reported in previous studies based on mentally stimulating activities analysis.

The hypothesis is that a complex cognitive training alters the neural networks in both subject groups and this alteration is associated with improvement or stabilization of cognitive and non-cognitive function.

The investigator will perform a complex cognitive training program. Twenty patients with mild AD and twenty four patients with MCI will be recruited in this study. The patients will be randomised in control- and treatment groups.Additionally indirect effects on non-cognitive functions will be evaluated in caregivers of the patients.

The investigators expect that the cognitive and non-cognitive abilities will be changed during the cognitive training. The investigators also expect differences between treatment and control groups.