Neural Correlates of Memory in Non-Healthy Ageing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neural Correlates of Memory in Non-Healthy Ageing
IRAS ID
214277
Contact name
Mark Crook-Rumsey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham Trent University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 25 days
Research summary
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often represents an at-risk state of developing dementia. It is important therefore to develop and understand biological markers that may identify individuals likely to develop dementia related disease and would be useful for early diagnosis and effective prevention therapies. Previous research has demonstrated neurophysiological impairments in various cognitive domains in those exhibiting MCI and differences in neural networks in prodromal dementia. Cognitively declining subjects show early neurodegeneration and reduction of the brain’s grey matter in specific areas. Electroencephalography (EEG) presents itself as a reliable tool for the identification of differences and biomarkers for early and predictive diagnosis. It is accepted that cerebral EEG rhythms reflect underlying brain network activity and therefore differences in EEG signals may provide useful insights to the development of dementia related diseases. Research has demonstrated deficits in those with MCI akin to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in certain executive domains such as visual processing, speech understanding and memory functions. However, the application of this neuroimaging tool and the cognitive domains which can be assessed remains vast. This project therefore aims to further explore deficits in memory using advanced EEG analysis methods in individuals with MCI compared to healthy older adults and healthy young adults. The results from this project will further the theoretical understanding of the developmental progression towards MCI.
The project will require participants to come into Nottingham Trent University’s EEG research laboratory and complete a consent form. Secondly, they will complete questionnaires regarding depression, memory, education, and sleep. Next, participants will have an EEG cap, electrodes and a nontoxic electroconductive gel placed on the scalp. Participants will then complete a series of cognitive tests assessing working memory, prospective memory, episodic memory and recordings will also be taken in a resting state.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0101
Date of REC Opinion
10 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion