Back to search results

Working Memory and Physical Exercise Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment

This study is looking into how combining brain training and exercise might improve brain function in people with mild cognitive impairment (some of whom may have early signs of Alzheimer's disease). Researchers want to see if progressive aerobic exercise, adaptive cognitive training (brain training), or a combination of both can help. You might be able to join if you are between 50 and 80 years old, are generally inactive (exercise less than 3 times a week), and can use an iPad or computer. The study will measure changes in your brain's structure, cortical thickness, and microstructure after a 12-week program. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 90 participants. The study aims to evaluate and understand how the brain and cognition may improve after a 12-week intervention.
What's involved
Participants will undergo a 12-week intervention involving either progressive aerobic exercise, adaptive cognitive training, or a combination. Brain structure, cortical thickness, and microstructure will be measured at baseline and 4 weeks after the training program.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Brain changes are measured at baseline and at 4 weeks after the training program.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05948930

Working Memory and Physical Exercise Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Recruiting
NAAges 50–80InterventionalSupportive care
University of Maryland, Baltimore
~90 participants
Updated 2026-05-12 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Progressive aerobic exerciseAdaptive cognitive trainingCombined

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Changes in Brain structure measures
Measured over At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.
+7 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Explore related trials

Mild cognitive disorder

NCT05948930

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Maryland Baltimore

    Baltimore, Marylandstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Linda Chang, M.D., M.S.
[email protected]
410 706 1036
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult men and women of all races and ethnicities who are 50-80 years of age will be eligible.
Only sedentary adults will be eligible (engaging in structured activity for exercise \<3x/week) for Progressive aerobic exercise or Combined training
Ability to use, and accessibility to, an iPad or computer is required for the Adaptive cognitive training and Combined training.
Fluent in English.
The diagnosis of MCI will first be confirmed at the screening evaluation using the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We will also evaluate their ADL using instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) to ensure they have preserved independence in functional abilities despite the cognitive deficits. The primary caregivers will be interviewed (either in person or by phone) for the participants' IADL to corroborate the independent functional status.

Exclusion

Does not have access to a computer or internet to perform the Cogmed® training AND is unwilling to come to the lab for the training.
Unable to undergo an MRI investigation based on claustrophobia or metal foreign bodies.
Symptomatic heart disease, Coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c\>10%), significant cardiovascular disorders (on EKG and graded exercise test) that would prevent the participant from the exercise training; neurologic, musculoskeletal, or other condition that limits the subject's ability to complete study physical assessments.
Estimated verbal Intelligence Quotient (IQ) below 70 (based on the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading) which would invalidate the informed consent process for the study.
Self-reported moderate to severe substance use disorder(s) (e.g., self-reported intake \>3 oz liquor, or three 4 oz glasses of wine, or three 12 oz cans of beer per day or illicit drug use).
Severe chronic or acute medical or other (non-MCI) neuropsychiatric conditions that might confound the cognitive or brain imaging measures (e.g., liver function tests \>2.5 normal range or evidence for renal failure).
Body mass index \>40 kg/m2.

What this trial measures

  • Changes in Brain structure measuresAt baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Changes in brain volume measures from T1-weighted images (volumes in mm3)

  • Changes in brain cortical thickness measuresAt baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Changes in brain cortical thickness measures from T1-weighted images (thickness measures in mm)

  • Changes in Brain microstructure measuresAt baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Changes in brain measures of diffused tensor imaging (diffusion coefficient in mm²/s)

  • Changes in Brain blood flow from Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) in milliliters/100 g/minutesAt baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Changes in Brain blood flow from Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) in milliliters/ 100 g/ minutes

  • Changes in Brain Activation on functional MRIAt baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Changes in functional MRI from blood oxygen level dependence (BOLD) contrast on fMRI (in percentage change)

  • Changes in cognitive performance, emotions, and motor function based on NIH toolboxAt baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Changes in cognitive performance, emotions, and motor function in raw scores measured by the NIH Toolbox® (reports will be generated as T scores, with higher T scores indicating better outcomes)

  • Changes in executive function using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A)At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Changes in executive function using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) (reports will be generated as T scores, with lower T scores indicating better outcomes and T scores higher than 65 indicating significant impairments in the executive function)

  • Changes in Blood Bioenergetic MarkersAt baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

    Platelet mitochondrial respiration (OCR) and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) will be evaluated to assess bioenergetic profiles in platelets isolated from whole blood of fasted participants. OCR will be measured using a Seahorse model XFe96 machine as the high throughput platform. Measurements of OCR/ECAR will be performed with the following modifications. Platelets will be isolated from whole blood with a Beckman Allegra model X-30R centrifuge. Platelets will be counted using a Nexcelom Bioscience Cellometer (Lawrence, MA) using Calcein acetoxymethyl (AM) ester dye to enable the seeding of 10,000,000 platelets per well.