# Augmenting Cognitive Training in Older Adults - The ACT Grant

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2020 · $1,051,712

## Abstract

ABSTRACT:
This randomized clinical trial will test whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of frontal cortices enhances
neurocognitive and functional outcomes achieved from cognitive training in older adults experiencing age-related
cognitive decline. Change in well-validated measures of neurocognitive function and everyday abilities will serve as
outcome measures. Functional and structural neuroimaging biomarkers of neural plasticity and learning (fMRI, GABA
MRS, etc.) will measure intervention-associated alterations in specific brain regions impacted by cognitive aging. tDCS
is a noninvasive brain stimulation method that facilitates neural plasticity and learning. Accordingly, when used as an
adjunctive intervention, tDCS may augment cognitive training effects. This study will leverage existing multisite clinical
trial infrastructure at McKnight Brain Institutes located in two of the states with the largest representation of older adults
in the United States: University of Florida, University of Miami, and University of Arizona. Adults over the age of 65
represent the fastest growing group in the US population. As such, age-related cognitive decline represents a major
concern for public health. Recent research suggests that cognitive training in older adults can improve cognitive
performance, with effects lasting up to 10 years. However, effects are typically limited to the tasks trained, with little
transfer to other cognitive abilities or everyday skills. Effects may also be reduced in people with Alzheimer's
disease risk factors. A two-phase multisite randomized clinical trial will examine the individual and combined impact
of pairing cognitive training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in older adults experiencing age-related
cognitive decline (n = 360; 120 per site). Participants will consist of elderly men and women 65-90 years of age with
evidence of age-related cognitive decline, but not MCI or Alzheimer's disease (MoCA≥25). We will compare changes
in cognitive and brain function resulting from CT and CT combined with tDCS using a comprehensive neurocognitive,
clinical, and multimodal neuroimaging assessment of brain structure, function, and metabolic state. Functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be used to assess brain response during working memory, attention, and
memory encoding; the active cognitive abilities trained by CT. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) will
assess markers of neural plasticity, GABA concentrations, and cerebral metabolism. We hypothesize that: 1) tDCS
will enhance neurocognitive function, brain function, and functional outcomes from CT; 2) Effects of tDCS on CT will
be maintained up to 12 months following training, and 3) Neuroimaging biomarkers of cerebral metabolism, neural
plasticity (GABA concentrations) and functional brain response (fMRI) during resting vs. active cognitive tasks will
predict individual response to tDCS, with certain Alzheimer's risk f...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9925767
- **Project number:** 5R01AG054077-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** RONALD A COHEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,051,712
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9925767

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9925767, Augmenting Cognitive Training in Older Adults - The ACT Grant (5R01AG054077-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9925767. Licensed CC0.

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