The Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults' Cognitive Performance and Biomarkers of Structural Brain Aging

Abstract

Objectives: Cognitive training (CT) has been investigated as a means of delaying age-related cognitive decline in older adults. However, its impact on biomarkers of age-related structural brain atrophy has rarely been investigated, leading to a gap in our understanding of the linkage between improvements in cognition and brain plasticity. This study aimed to explore the impact of CT on cognitive performance and brain structure in older adults. Methods: One hundred twenty-four cognitively normal older adults recruited from 2 study sites were randomly assigned to either an adaptive CT (n=60) or a casual game training (active control, AC, n=64). Results: After 10 weeks of training, CT participants showed greater improvements in the overall cognitive composite score (Cohen's d=0.66, p