Memory and Mild Cognitive Impairment Treatment

What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Minimal Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a form of memory decline. Usually found in older adults, it manifests in areas of short- or long-term recall, attention, ability to focus, and executive functions. Around 12% of cases of MCI progress to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but with early detection, some of the most severe symptoms can be avoided.

The emerging science of neuroplasticity shows that our brains continue to grow and form new connections for our entire lives. Things like exercise, diet, and how we use our brains can improve our brain health, memory, and cognition even in late stages of life.

For individuals struggling with MCI and at risk of Alzheimer’s, neurofeedback therapy can help to “exercise” the brain, training it to retain, improve, and develop new connections. Our clinical cases have shown these methods can be effective in improving cognition and memory.

  • Forgetting to go to events or appointments

  • Losing things often

  • Losing trains of thought or threads in conversations, books, movies

  • Having difficulty navigating familiar environments

  • Having trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age

Cognitive Decline/Impairment Symptoms:

How to get tested for Memory or Cognitive Decline

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Our assessment model for MCI includes mapping the brain (qEEG) to identify areas of functional disturbances and a cognitive screening test, which identifies any decline in the performance of recall, recognition, attention, and executive functions such as decision-making.

It is recommended that even normal adults above the age of 55 should have a baseline brain and cognitive test done, even if there are no subjective memory complaints, and repeat such evaluations yearly in order to monitor any possible decline in memory or cognitive skills and address these issues immediately.

There is currently no cure for MCI, but a number of treatments can help alleviate the worst symptoms, and buffer against further decline.

  • Neuromodulation techniques (rTMS, TDCS) help stimulate areas of the brain that are involved in memory and higher functions. This therapy offers improvements and some possible buffering against the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.

  • Neurofeedback training has been shown to induce positive changes in brain plasticity, providing a promising approach to improving symptoms of MCI.

  • Lifestyle changes and CBT helps to rewire thought patterns and mental habits represented by neural networks in the brain.

How does Neurofeedback work?

  • Brain map New York City

    1. Brain map

    Brainwave assessment identifies imbalances and helps to create a personalized treatment plan.

  • Neurofeedback setup

    2. Treatment setup

    Non-invasive sensors and headphones are placed on your head and the treatment session begins.

  • Brain training nyc

    3. Brain activation

    Software translates your brainwave data and stops or starts audio/visual media based on your brain activity.

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    4. Conditioning

    In response to the audio/visual feedback, your brain adapts and learns to regulate your brainwaves and build new, healthy neural pathways.

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    5. Brain Training

    Over time with continuous brain training, healthy brain activity in target regions increases, and symptom-associated activity decreases.

Related Research

Tuning Up the Old Brain with New Tricks: Attention Training via Neurofeedback Click Here

EEG neurofeedback: a brief overview and an example of peak alpha frequency training for cognitive enhancement in the elderly Click Here

The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback on Cognitive Functioning in Patients with Alzheimers Disease Click Here