Spatial Memory Training and Cognitive Function

NCT07002996 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: Auto-SMIP-001488505
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with MCI have subjective memory complaints corroborated by standard neuropsychological tests but remain functionally autonomous. One of the first brain regions to show AD pathology is the hippocampus (HPC). Reduction in HPC volume is a strong predictor of AD dementia. Therefore, improvement or restoration of HPC structure and function is thus an attractive target for improvement in memory and AD prevention strategies. In the current study, the investigators propose to examine the effects of a 3-month long spatial memory program on spatial memory and the hippocampus in patients diagnosed with MCI. Neuropsychological tests are also administered before and after the training to assess the effects of the intervention on cognition. In our previous research, the investigators have shown that spatial memory intervention program (SMIP) improves cognition and hippocampal based spatial memory compared to controls.

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Keywords

Memory; Spatial Memory; Hippocampus; Cognitive Training; Cognitive Decline; Aging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in hippocampal atrophy score using SNIPE (Scoring by Non-local Image Patch Estimator)

  Hippocampal atrophy will be assessed by applying the SNIPE algorithm to T1-weighted structural MRI scans. The SNIPE score quantifies similarity of hippocampal image patches to those found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and cognitively healthy controls, providing a continuous score ranging from -1 (AD-like) to +1 (control-like). Change in SNIPE score from baseline to post-treatment will be used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on neurodegeneration.

  From study entry to Week 16 in hippocampus SNIPE grading.

Secondary Outcomes (37)

• Hippocampal volume.

  From study entry to weeks 16 and 41.

• Change in hippocampal atrophy score using SNIPE (Scoring by Non-local Image Patch Estimator) at 41 weeks post-study entry.

  From study entry to Week 41.

• Changes in spatial memory performance.

  From study entry to weeks 15 and 40.

• Changes in spatial memory performance: radial maze task.

  From study entry to weeks 15 and 40.

• Changes in spatial memory performance: Paired arms radial maze task.

  From study entry to weeks 15 and 40.

Study Arms (2)

SMIP

EXPERIMENTAL

Spatial Memory Intervention Program

Behavioral: SMIP

Control

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

The control group will receive no intervention between baseline and follow-up.

Other: No intervention

Interventions

SMIP BEHAVIORAL

Participants will undergo a 3-month-long regimen of 60 minutes spatial memory training sessions held twice a week, consisting of a series of computerized virtual reality tasks.

SMIP

No intervention OTHER

Control participants will not receive spatial memory intervention training. They will watch documentaries and then complete multiple choice quizzes on its content to ensure they are paying attention. The placebo condition will match the experimental condition in terms of duration and visit frequency.

Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 55 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 55 years and above.
• Primary language is English or French.
• Individuals having received a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

You may not qualify if:

• Self-reported having either of the following:
• Current post-traumatic stress disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder; Substance use disorder; Significant heart disease (i.e., stroke occurring during 5 years prior to study assessment or cardiac disease non-stabilized with medication); Severe Depression, or a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score greater than 12; Current insomnia disorder.
• Current medications for sleep problems, or use of medications that affect sleep.
• Use of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication for less than 3 months prior to study entry.
• Use of analgesics with codeine (or other opioids).
• Use of antipsychotic medication (past or current).
• Having undergone brain surgery or ECT.
• Self-reported colour-blindness.
• General anesthesia in the past year.
• Current smoker.
• Suspected or confirmed traumatic brain injury during the last 24 months.
• Motion sickness or intolerant to virtual reality tasks.
• Cholesterol or hypertension medication for less than 3 months or changes expected within the next 9 months.
• History or presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders (other than MCI) that in the opinion of the investigator may compromise patient safety or study objectives.
• Current severe medical conditions (e.g. untreated diabetes, cancer) that in the opinion of the investigator may compromise patient safety or study objectives.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Douglas Mental Health University Institute: lead
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Verdun, Quebec, H4G 3E8, Canada

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Bohbot VD, Iaria G, Petrides M. Hippocampal function and spatial memory: evidence from functional neuroimaging in healthy participants and performance of patients with medial temporal lobe resections. Neuropsychology. 2004 Jul;18(3):418-25. doi: 10.1037/0894-4105.18.3.418.

  PMID: 15291720 BACKGROUND

• Bohbot VD, Lerch J, Thorndycraft B, Iaria G, Zijdenbos AP. Gray matter differences correlate with spontaneous strategies in a human virtual navigation task. J Neurosci. 2007 Sep 19;27(38):10078-83. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1763-07.2007.

  PMID: 17881514 BACKGROUND

• Iaria G, Petrides M, Dagher A, Pike B, Bohbot VD. Cognitive strategies dependent on the hippocampus and caudate nucleus in human navigation: variability and change with practice. J Neurosci. 2003 Jul 2;23(13):5945-52. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-13-05945.2003.

  PMID: 12843299 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Véronique Bohbot, Ph.D.

  Douglas Mental Health University Institute

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Daniel R Saumier, PhD

CONTACT

514-761-6131; Daniel.Saumier@douglas.mcgill.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Co-investigators
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2025
• First Posted: June 4, 2025
• Study Start: June 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2030
• Last Updated: July 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)