Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development | 2021
Effects of Multimodal Episodic Memory Training in a Community-dwelling Elderly Population with Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study on Brain Imaging Outcomes
Abstract
Background: The cognitive deterioration occurring in normal aging results in the alteration of brain whitematter structure and neuronal connectivity. Thus, cognitive training is beneficial in enhancing the cognitivefunctions in elders with cognitive impairment. The diffusion tensor imaging method explores the nature ofthe white matter changes occurring during cognitive intervention. This study aimed to examine white matterintegrity parameters in brain-related memory between elderly with cognitive impairment who receivedmemory training and a non-trained group.Methods: Twenty participants were recruited for this study, and were assigned into experimental and controlgroups. The experimental group received a 36-session multimodal episodic memory training (MEMT) overa 12-week period. The magnetic resonance imaging scanned the corpus callosum, fornix, cingulum, anduncinate fasciculus, and then were analyzed using diffusion tensor imaging methods during, before, andafter training.Results: After MEMT training, the white matter integrity indices all targeted brain area demonstrated nosignificant differences (p>0.05). However, the FA values of uncinated fasciculus areas showed the tendencyto increase after training.Conclusion: This finding could indicate the resilient anatomical possibilities of white matter structuralchanges after training. Moreover, the DTI technique has possible benefits regarding predicting theindividualized white matter alternation underlying cognitive changes in the elderly.