Tuning Up Memory-related Brain Potentials using Real-time Neurofeedback in Older Veterans"

军事部署与轻度认知障碍（MCI）的风险增加有关。 战斗压力相关的记忆缺陷已经有很好的记录。轻度认知障碍 比如记忆力缺失是阿尔茨海默病最常见的早期症状 相关痴呆（ADRD）对记忆力下降的抱怨在健康的人中很常见。 和认知完整的老年平民，但在年老的退伍军人中却不太理解。大脑 提高认知技能特别是记忆过程的训练策略尚未得到满足 需要在老龄战斗退伍军人谁是在额外的风险为MCI引起的ADRD。以来 目前还没有有效的药物治疗来阻止认知能力的下降， 增强老年退伍军人的记忆功能是一个越来越有吸引力的选择， 记忆力下降。 拟议的项目是准备调查国家的最先进的神经反馈（NF; 脑活动的生物反馈）训练，用于神经可塑性的自我调节以增强记忆 退伍军人的表现。本文综述了神经网络与脑机接口（BCI）的最新进展， 为研究大脑功能和可塑性提供了一种新的方法。到目前为止， 应用于发展有效的实验和临床范式， 老兵从历史上看，在记忆任务执行过程中的脑电波模式一直是 离线分析，一种不允许实时NF调制和训练的方法。 拟议的项目是准备调查国家的最先进的神经反馈（NF;生物反馈的 大脑活动）训练，用于神经可塑性的自我调节，以提高 老兵指导这项研究的中心假设是，最佳记忆相关的脑电波 老兵的行为模式是可以训练出来的在线NF允许脑波模式的最大化 与更健康的记忆状态有关。 开发有效的NF范式来增强内存性能是一个重要的问题。 这是应用这种非药物干预改善战斗的重要的第一步 退伍军人的记忆功能和治疗轻度TBI或疼痛所致MCI的潜力。我们将使用 最先进的可穿戴无线脑机接口耳机，价格实惠， 在VAMC中轻松设置，并最终在远程评估设置中设置。这一创新， 基于认知神经科学的非药物干预， 诊断和治疗有退行性痴呆风险的退伍军人。

Military deployment is associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Combat stress related memory deficits has been well documented. Mild cognitive impairment such as memory deficits are the most common and earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). The complaints about declined memory are common in healthy and cognitively intact civilian older adults, but less understood in aging combat veterans. Brain training strategies to enhance cognitive skills and especially memory processes are unmet needs in aging combat veterans who are at additional risk for MCI induced by ADRD. Since currently there is no effective drug treatment to stop cognitive decline, noninvasive brain training to boost memory functions in older veterans is an increasingly attractive option to attenuating decline in memory. The proposed project is poised to investigate state-of-art neurofeedback (NF; biofeedback of brain activity) training for self-modulation of neural plasticity to boost memory performance in veterans. The recent advance of NF with Brian-Computer Interface (BCI) has provided a novel way to examine brain functions and plasticity. Thus far, there has been limited application in developing effective experimental and clinical paradigms for rehabilitation in veterans. Historically, brainwave patterns during memory task performance have been analyzed offline, a methodology which does not allow real-time NF modulation and training. The proposed project is poised to investigate state-of-art neurofeedback (NF; biofeedback of brain activity) training for self-modulation of neural plasticity to boost memory performance in veterans. The central hypothesis guiding this research is that optimal memory-related brainwave patterns of a veteran can be trained. The online NF allows maximization of brainwave patterns associated with healthier memory states. The development of efficient NF paradigms to augment memory performance is an important first step for the application of this nonpharmacologic intervention to improve combat veterans’ memory functions and potential for treating MCI due to mild TBI or pain. We will use state-of-the-art wearable wireless brain-computer interface headset, which is affordable and can be easily set up in VAMCs and eventually in remote assessment settings. This innovative, cognitive neuroscience based, nonpharmacologic intervention serves to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of combat veterans who are at risk for degenerative dementia.