Banner now enrolling participants into new brain training study
10/04/2021
Can brain training done on the computer help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Banner Alzheimer’s Institute locations in Phoenix and Tucson are participating in a new study exploring this possibility. The Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study will investigate whether computerized brain training, sometimes called brain games, can reduce the risk of dementia.
“This is the first large, NIH-funded prevention trial our Phoenix and Tucson locations are doing together,” said Jessica Langbaum, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative and site principal investigator for PACT at BAI. “We are privileged to be the only site outside of Florida, North and South Carolina offering the PACT Study.”
Research into computerized training exercises has shown that it can:
- Enhance mental quickness and visual attention
- Improve gait speed and balance
- Improve driving safety
- Maintain health and well-being
- Allow you to perform everyday tasks more efficiently
- Protect against depression
BAI plans to enroll approximately 1,400 participants in Phoenix and Tucson combined. To qualify, participants must be 65 years of age or older, have no neurological disorders, have not had a stroke or brain injury, and have not been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. In addition, participants should not have completed commercially available brain games such as Lumosity.
The study requires a three-year commitment, but only three in-person visits during that time. Participants complete two in-person study visits at the beginning of the study and perform the computerized training exercises in the comfort of their own homes. Participants will return for a third in-person visit after three years. It’s a great prevention study for couples or friends to do together.
“The outcome of this study may be significant,” said Langbaum. “An intervention that delays the onset of dementia by even just one year would have a positive impact on public health, from fewer people living with the disease and substantially reducing health care costs.”
To learn more about the PACT study or to volunteer, visit http://www.endalznow.org/pact.