# Enhancing gamma band response to improve working memory in individuals with mild cognitive impairment

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2022 · $673,055

## Abstract

Abstract
 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the clinical manifestation of a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
pervasive and progressive cognitive decline with impairment in activities of daily living. According to the
Centers for Disease Control the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will grow to 13.9
million (2018 report) by 2060, making it an urgent public concern. Research in the last decade has focused on
early identification of the disease and revealed a prodromal phase prior to the onset of functional impairments,
known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Despite early identification, there are few treatment options to slow
down progression from MCI to AD. Recent studies suggest that cognitive deficits may arise from abnormal
synchronization of distributed neural networks.
 Synchronization or synchronous firing of neurons, binds cortical areas into functional networks in a task
and state-dependent manner. Specifically, neural synchrony in the gamma band (30-45Hz) plays a central role
in top-down attention, multisensory processing, perceptual binding and working memory (WM) in healthy
individuals. Gamma band responses (GBR) are impaired in individuals with AD spectrum disorders, and animal
studies in AD models targeting GBR have shown positive effects on cognition. Thus, developing similar
treatments targeting GBR are expected to improve cognition in individuals with MCI. Our group has
administered EEG-neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) targeting GBR in SCZ patients, with promising early results
(research strategy). NFB is a low-cost, safe, easily administered closed-loop neuromodulation technique where
subjects are shown their brain activity as a visual metaphor and asked to modulate it in a given direction. EEG-
NFB has been employed in multiple disorders ranging from ADHD, depression, to anxiety and in multiple
populations including children and older adults. Based on these encouraging results, we are proposing a study
to 1) test the efficacy of EEG-NFB targeting GBR in individuals with amnestic MCI compared to a
sham/placebo, 2) explore the mechanism underlying change in cognition and 3) explore pre-treatment
characteristics that predict treatment response.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10370329
- **Project number:** 5R01AG065252-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Fiza Singh
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $673,055
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10370329

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10370329, Enhancing gamma band response to improve working memory in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (5R01AG065252-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10370329. Licensed CC0.

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