Inhibitory Control Training for Healthy Aging

Overseen By Fang Jiang, Ph.D

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Nevada, Reno

Disqualifiers: Epilepsy, Stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 21

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

In recent years evidence has accumulated on the association between age-related decline in multisensory temporal processing and postural control. This proposed project aims at examining GABA-mediated inhibition as the potential mechanism behind this link. Our overarching hypothesis is that changes in the excitatory-inhibitory balance with a reduction of GABAergic inhibition is a common mechanism underlying age-related multisensory and postural deficits potentially mediated by age-related reduction in network segregation. To test this hypothesis, we will assess the relationship between age-related multisensory/postural deficits and age-related reduction in GABA concentration in related brain areas and probe the role of GABA-mediated inhibition using cognitive training that specifically targets inhibitory functions. Our multimodal approach is innovative, and findings from this study has the potential to lead to the development of safe and effective rehabilitation protocols for older adults with impaired multisensory temporal integration and postural control.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Inhibitory Control Training for Healthy Aging?

Research shows that cognitive training targeting inhibitory control can improve cognitive functions in older adults, as seen in studies where such training enhanced memory and cognitive control. Additionally, multicomponent cognitive control training has been shown to increase brain activation and improve cognitive performance in older adults. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is inhibitory control training safe for humans?

The studies on cognitive training, including inhibitory control training, in older adults generally suggest it is safe, as they focus on improving cognitive functions without reporting any significant adverse effects. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

How does inhibitory control training differ from other treatments for healthy aging?

Inhibitory control training is unique because it focuses on enhancing the brain's ability to suppress unwanted thoughts or actions, which is crucial for maintaining cognitive function as we age. Unlike other treatments, it specifically targets the brain's activity and connectivity within networks responsible for inhibition, adapting to age-related changes to improve cognitive control. ^{1 3 8 10 11}

Research Team

Fang Jiang, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of Nevada, Reno

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults aged between 65 and 80, as well as a younger group aged between 20 and 35. Participants must not have serious vision or uncorrected hearing problems, early dementia, cognitive impairments, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, ADHD or history of significant head injury.

Inclusion Criteria

I am either between 20-35 or 65-80 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a history of epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or ADHD.

I have been diagnosed with early dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

You have a history of serious head injury, brain surgery, or mental health disorders.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-training Assessment

Assessment of multisensory temporal processing abilities, postural stability, gait performance, brain GABA concentration, and resting-state network segregation

1 week

Training

Participants undergo 20 days of either inhibitory control training or knowledge-based training

4 weeks

20 sessions (in-person)

Post-training Assessment

Re-assessment of multisensory temporal processing abilities, postural stability, gait performance, brain GABA concentration, and resting-state network segregation

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the persistence of training effects on multisensory temporal processing and postural control

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Active training
• Inhibitory control training
• Knowledge-based training
• Passive training

Trial Overview The study investigates if inhibitory control training can improve multisensory temporal processing and postural control in older adults by affecting GABA-mediated inhibition in the brain. It compares this method to knowledge-based training through a multimodal approach.

Participant Groups

Group I: Inhibitory control training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In the inhibitory control training condition, participants will be trained with tasks that involve both response withholding and rule switching. For example, participants will sort polygons based on features (e.g., shape or color) and will be asked to either provide or withhold sorting responses when presented with different cues. Rule-switching is introduced when participants must inhibit the "rule" used in the previous trial set and change the focus of their attention to a new sorting and/or inhibitory rule. Task difficulty will progressively increase over the course of training based on participants' abilities.

Group II: knowledge-based training Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The knowledge-based training condition serves as the control, in which participants will be presented with questions from different categories such as vocabulary, science, or geography and asked to select the correct answer from 4 alternatives within a certain time limit. Task difficulty will progressively increase over the course of training based on participants' abilities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Nevada, Reno

Lead Sponsor

Trials

34

Recruited

20,200+

Findings from Research

Cognitive training intervention (CTI) significantly improved global cognitive function in healthy elderly participants after 12 weeks, with a mean difference score of 0.57 compared to a wait-list group, indicating its efficacy.

However, there was no lasting carry-over effect observed at 24 weeks, suggesting that while CTI can provide short-term benefits, its effects may not be sustained over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Cognitive Training in Healthy Community Residing Thai Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Phanasathit, M., Nimnuan, C., Lohsoonthorn, V.[2023]

References

1. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aging and inhibitory errors on a motor shift of set task. [2019]

2. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Process-Based Cognitive Training on Memory in the Healthy Elderly and Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Activity and Connectivity Differences Underlying Inhibitory Control Across the Adult Life Span. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modulation of Adaptive Cognitive Control by Prefrontal High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Older Adults. [2020]

5. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of multicomponent training of cognitive control on cognitive function and brain activation in older adults. [2022]

6. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Cognitive Training in Healthy Community Residing Thai Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

7. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Targeting alertness to improve cognition in older adults: A preliminary report of benefits in executive function and skill acquisition. [2019]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Computerized Updating and Inhibition Training in Older Adults: The ACTOP Three-Arm Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Baseline capacities and motivation in executive control training of healthy older adults. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aging Modulates Prefrontal Plasticity Induced by Executive Control Training. [2023]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Practice-induced functional plasticity in inhibitory control interacts with aging. [2019]