Gerontology & Geriatric Research

STRATEGIC MEMORY ALZHEIMERS REHABILITATION TRAINING (SMART) MEMORY PROGRAM FOR AMNESTIC MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (AMCI): REPORTING THE RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

2^nd International Conference on Aging & Gerontology

June 26-27, 2017 San Diego, CA, USA

John W. DenBoer

SMART Brain Aging Inc., USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriatr Res

Abstract:

The combined effects of the aging of the population (caused by the shift of the baby boomer generation into dementia) and significant increase in life expectancy has combined to put dementia into the range of our largest medical, if not societal problems. In the state of Arizona, there is a projected 44-72% increase in dementia. Research has supported the use of cognitive intervention exercises to reduce early-stage dementia. Valenzuela and Sachdev (2009), in a literature review of 22 studies (involving approximately almost 30,000 individuals), found an overall risk reduction of 46% in individuals that were found to engage in a high level of regular cognitive activity. Perhaps more importantly, they found a dose-dependent relationship between cognitive exercise and reduction of dementia, which had not been found previously. The SMART Memory Program (DenBoer, 2008) is a cognitive intervention designed to promote the reduction of early-stage dementia. Results of this program have shown significant promise (e.g., DenBoer, 2013), and the present researchers are currently engaging in multiple research studies. The program is effective via the use of new and novel cognitive exercises. The researchers have yet to conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT), which is considered the gold-standard of research in this area. This presentation focuses on the results of a joint study with UCLA in which the researchers examined the effects of the SMART Brain U Online program on individuals with amnestic MCI (aMCI).