ArticleAlzheimer's research & therapy2021
Protocols for cognitive enhancement. A user manual for Brain Health Services-part 5 of 6.
Article in Alzheimer's research & therapy, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers.
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Who cites it
20 citing papers in PubMed, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- Mood and Age Predict Cognitive Complaints in Memory Clinic Patients: A Machine-Learning and Linear Modeling Approach.European journal of neurology · 2026Article
- Learning from missteps: Potential of transcranial electrical stimulation in neuropsychological rehabilitation.Journal of neuropsychology · 2025Review
- Brain health services for the secondary prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia: Opportunities, challenges, and the business case for existing and future facilities.The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease · 2025Review
- Multi-domain intervention program on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults: Pilot study.Revista medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social · 2025Article
- Subjective cognitive decline: Memory complaints, cognitive awareness, and metacognition.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2024Review
- Brain Health and Cognition in Older Adults: Roadmap and Milestones towards the Implementation of Preventive Strategies.Brain sciences · 2024Review
- Review
- Dementia prevention in memory clinics: recommendations from the European task force for brain health services.The Lancet regional health. Europe · 2023Review
- Article
- Aβ1-42-containing platelet-derived extracellular vesicle is associated with cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease.Frontiers in aging neuroscience · 2023Article
- Use of Bacopa monnieri in the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer Disease: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Interactive journal of medical research · 2022Review
- The European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia Programme: An Innovative Medicines Initiative-funded partnership to facilitate secondary prevention of Alzheimer's disease dementia.Frontiers in neurology · 2022Article
- Biotransformation, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacological Activities of Ginsenoside Rd Against Multiple Diseases.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022Review
- Modifiable risk factors for dementia and dementia risk profiling. A user manual for Brain Health Services-part 2 of 6.Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2021Review
- Brain Health Services: organization, structure, and challenges for implementation. A user manual for Brain Health Services-part 1 of 6.Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2021Review
- Multidomain interventions: state-of-the-art and future directions for protocols to implement precision dementia risk reduction. A user manual for Brain Health Services-part 4 of 6.Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2021Review
- Dementia risk communication. A user manual for Brain Health Services-part 3 of 6.Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2021Review
- Societal and equity challenges for Brain Health Services. A user manual for Brain Health Services-part 6 of 6.Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2021Review
- Protocols for cognitive enhancement. A user manual for Brain Health Services-part 5 of 6.Alzheimer's research & therapy · 2021Article
- Recent contributions to the field of subjective cognitive decline in aging: A literature review.Alzheimer's & dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands)Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors at 7 institutions in 5 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Cognitive complaints in the absence of objective cognitive impairment, observed in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), are common in old age. The first step to postpone cognitive decline is to use techniques known to improve cognition, i.e., cognitive enhancement techniques.We aimed to provide clinical recommendations to improve cognitive performance in cognitively unimpaired individuals, by using cognitive, mental, or physical training (CMPT), non-invasive brain stimulations (NIBS), drugs, or nutrients. We made a systematic review of CMPT studies based on the GRADE method rating the strength of evidence.CMPT have clinically relevant effects on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes. The quality of evidence supporting the improvement of outcomes following a CMPT was high for metamemory; moderate for executive functions, attention, global cognition, and generalization in daily life; and low for objective memory, subjective memory, motivation, mood, and quality of life, as well as a transfer to other cognitive functions. Regarding specific interventions, CMPT based on repeated practice (e.g., video games or mindfulness, but not physical training) improved attention and executive functions significantly, while CMPT based on strategic learning significantly improved objective memory.We found encouraging evidence supporting the potential effect of NIBS in improving memory performance, and reducing the perception of self-perceived memory decline in SCD. Yet, the high heterogeneity of stimulation protocols in the different studies prevent the issuing of clear-cut recommendations for implementation in a clinical setting. No conclusive argument was found to recommend any of the main pharmacological cognitive enhancement drugs ("smart drugs", acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antidepressant) or herbal extracts (Panax ginseng, Gingko biloba, and Bacopa monnieri) in people without cognitive impairment.Altogether, this systematic review provides evidence for CMPT to improve cognition, encouraging results for NIBS although more studies are needed, while it does not support the use of drugs or nutrients.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.