Spatial Memory Training and Cognitive Function

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with MCI have subjective memory complaints corroborated by standard neuropsychological tests but remain functionally autonomous. One of the first brain regions to show AD pathology is the hippocampus (HPC). Reduction in HPC volume is a strong predictor of AD dementia. Therefore, improvement or restoration of HPC structure and function is thus an attractive target for improvement in memory and AD prevention strategies. In the current study, the investigators propose to examine the effects of a 3-month long spatial memory program on spatial memory and the hippocampus in patients diagnosed with MCI. Neuropsychological tests are also administered before and after the training to assess the effects of the intervention on cognition. In our previous research, the investigators have shown that spatial memory intervention program (SMIP) improves cognition and hippocampal based spatial memory compared to controls.

NCT Number	NCT07002996
Lead Sponsor	Douglas Mental Health University Institute Collaborators: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Conditions	Mild Cognitive Impairment
Enrollment	80 participants
Start Date	2025-06-15
Primary Completion	2030-09-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-12-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-07-23