# Web-based technology and cognitive training: improving executive control in cognitivelyhealthy older adults

> **NIH NIH K99** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2022 · $130,842

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Developing efficient cognitive training for cognitively intact older adults (OA) is a major public health goal, due
to its potential for reducing age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease/dementia risk. Executive
Control (EC) is a relevant training target since it declines with aging and is critical for multi-tasking in daily life.
EC training programs for OA have been shown to lead to cognitive improvements, but it remains unclear
whether it enhances multi-tasking ability and transfer to different tasks and context, such as everyday life. Most
EC training protocols fail to adopt ecological tasks, which limit its clinical relevance and generalization. A
promising EC training approach is Emphasis Change (EmCh), which has shown to benefit both younger and
OA. Similar approaches have shown training-transfer in OA, suggesting that EmCh may be an appropriate
method to induce transfer in OA. To date, EmCh has not been applied in ecological tasks that simulate a daily
life situation, nor has it been implemented remotely through a web-based interface. The web-based training is
an advancement since it can be delivered at home and is easily scalable. Recently, remote interventions have
been relevant to OA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limits in-person research participation. The current
proposal seeks to bridge the above gaps by implementing EmCh through the Breakfast Game (B-Game), a
web-based ecological training platform that simulates a daily life environment and is feasible in OA. The Aims 1
and 2 (K99 phase) of this proposal will be based on a pilot study with cognitively healthy OA in order to 1)
investigate acceptability/usability and structure of a 12-session training protocol based on web B-Game, and 2)
the effects of EmCh approach, in comparison to a control intervention. The K99 phase will provide pilot data
regarding several intervention features and outcomes. These data will be critical to optimize the design for the
randomized controlled clinical trial I plan to conduct in the R00 phase (Aim 3), in order to evaluate the efficacy
of EmCh/B-Game in OA. The R00 trial will be enriched by Alzheimer`s disease blood-based biomarkers, which
will improve diagnostic accuracy and allow me to explore intervention response as a function of pathology. To
accomplish these aims, I will develop advanced skills to supplement my training in neuropsychology, as I will:
1) enrich my conceptual understanding of cognitive aging/EC; 2) broaden my knowledge of cognitive training,
and its integration with technology and teleneuropsychology; 3) develop expertise in clinical trials; and 4) gain
skills in statistical analysis. Additionally, I will 5) enrich my knowledge on Alzheimer`s pathology and 6) gain
skills in designing fMRI experiments, relevant aims for my independence as a future trialist focused on aging. I
have assembled an excellent and well-rounded mentorship team with expertise in cognitive aging, EC/EmCh,
clinical...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10507340
- **Project number:** 1K99AG078561-01
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Sharon Sanz Simon
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $130,842
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10507340

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10507340, Web-based technology and cognitive training: improving executive control in cognitivelyhealthy older adults (1K99AG078561-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10507340. Licensed CC0.

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