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。 与战斗压力相关的记忆缺陷已经被很好地记录下来了。轻度认知障碍 例如记忆缺陷是阿尔茨海默病最常见和最早的症状 和相关痴呆症(ADRD)。关于记忆力减退的抱怨在健康人中很常见 以及认知完好无损的平民老年人，但在上了年纪的退伍军人中较少被理解。脑区 提高认知技能，特别是记忆过程的培训战略尚未实现 老年退伍军人中的需求，他们面临着ADRD导致的MCI的额外风险。自.以来 目前还没有有效的药物治疗来阻止认知能力下降，无创脑训练 增强老年退伍军人的记忆功能是一种越来越有吸引力的减重选择 记忆力下降。 拟议的项目准备研究最新的神经反馈(NF； 大脑活动的生物反馈)训练对神经可塑性的自我调节以增强记忆 退伍军人的表现。具有脑-机接口(BCI)的神经网络的最新进展 为检测大脑功能和可塑性提供了一种新的方法。到目前为止，只有有限的 在制定有效的康复实验和临床范例中的应用 退伍军人。从历史上看，记忆任务执行期间的脑电波模式 离线分析，一种不允许实时核磁共振调制和训练的方法。 拟议的项目准备研究最新的神经反馈(NF；生物反馈 脑活动)神经可塑性的自我调节训练以提高记忆能力 退伍军人。指导这项研究的中心假设是与记忆相关的最佳脑电波 老兵的模式是可以训练的。在线脑电波允许最大化脑电波模式 与更健康的记忆状态相关。 开发有效的核因子范例以增强存储器性能是一种 应用这种非药物干预提高战斗力的重要第一步 退伍军人的记忆功能和治疗轻度颅脑损伤或疼痛引起的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，可以 在VAMC中轻松设置，并最终在远程评估环境中设置。这一创新的， 认知神经科学为基础的非药物干预服务于革命性的 有退行性痴呆风险的退伍军人的诊断和治疗。

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.