Effects and Mechanisms of Computerized Cognitive Training in Huntington's Disease: Protocol for a Pilot Study

Overview

Journal Neurodegener Dis Manag

Date 2025 Jan 9

PMID 39781626

Authors

Katharine Huynh

Sharna Jamadar

Julie Stout

Katharina Voigt

Amit Lampit

Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Huntington's disease (HD) causes progressive cognitive decline, with no available treatments. Computerized cognitive training (CCT) has shown efficacy in other populations, but its effects in HD are largely unknown. This pilot study will explore the effects and neural mechanisms of CCT in HD. The intervention group participants will complete 12 weeks of multidomain CCT. Control group participants will receive lifestyle education and access to CCT after the study. The primary outcome is change in processing speed. Secondary outcomes include - change in other cognitive domains, functional brain network connectivity (derived from MRI) and psychosocial function. Feasibility outcomes include rates of recruitment, adherence and retention. This study may provide insights into the effects of CCT in HD and guide future trials. ACTRN12622000908730 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Citing Articles

Feasibility and effects of cognitive training on cognition and psychosocial function in Huntington's disease: a randomised pilot trial.

Huynh K, Jamadar S, Lampit A, Siddiqui M, Stout J, Georgiou-Karistianis N J Neurol. 2025; 272(2):159.

PMID: 39847109 PMC: 11757664. DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12855-7.

References

Dale M, Maltby J, Martucci R, Shimozaki S . Factor analysis of the hospital anxiety and depression scale among a Huntington's disease population. Mov Disord. 2015; 30(14):1954-60. DOI: 10.1002/mds.26419. View

Lampit A, Hallock H, Valenzuela M . Computerized cognitive training in cognitively healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effect modifiers. PLoS Med. 2014; 11(11):e1001756. PMC: 4236015. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001756. View

Corey-Bloom J, Williams M, Beltran-Najera I, Mustafa A, Snell C, Castleton J . Central Cognitive Processing Speed Is an Early Marker of Huntington's Disease Onset. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2021; 8(1):100-105. PMC: 7781078. DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13121. View

Ross L, Webb C, Whitaker C, Hicks J, Schmidt E, Samimy S . The Effects of Useful Field of View Training on Brain Activity and Connectivity. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2018; 74(7):1152-1162. PMC: 6941209. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby041. View

Tabrizi S, Scahill R, Owen G, Durr A, Leavitt B, Roos R . Predictors of phenotypic progression and disease onset in premanifest and early-stage Huntington's disease in the TRACK-HD study: analysis of 36-month observational data. Lancet Neurol. 2013; 12(7):637-49. DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(13)70088-7. View

Baker K, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Lampit A, Valenzuela M, Gibson S, Giummarra M . Computerised training improves cognitive performance in chronic pain: a participant-blinded randomised active-controlled trial with remote supervision. Pain. 2018; 159(4):644-655. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001150. View

Aron A, Watkins L, Sahakian B, Monsell S, Barker R, Robbins T . Task-set switching deficits in early-stage Huntington's disease: implications for basal ganglia function. J Cogn Neurosci. 2003; 15(5):629-42. DOI: 10.1162/089892903322307357. View

You S, Geschwind M, Sha S, Apple A, Satris G, Wood K . Executive functions in premanifest Huntington's disease. Mov Disord. 2013; 29(3):405-9. PMC: 4029327. DOI: 10.1002/mds.25762. View

van Balkom T, van den Heuvel O, Berendse H, van der Werf Y, Vriend C . The Effects of Cognitive Training on Brain Network Activity and Connectivity in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases: a Systematic Review. Neuropsychol Rev. 2020; 30(2):267-286. PMC: 7305076. DOI: 10.1007/s11065-020-09440-w. View

10.

Schulz K, Altman D, Moher D . CONSORT 2010 Statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomized trials. Open Med. 2011; 4(1):e60-8. PMC: 3116666. View

11.

Greaves D, Psaltis P, Lampit A, Davis D, Smith A, Bourke A . Computerised cognitive training to improve cognition including delirium following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: protocol for a blinded randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2020; 10(2):e034551. PMC: 7045123. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034551. View

12.

Sathe S, Ware J, Levey J, Neacy E, Blumenstein R, Noble S . Enroll-HD: An Integrated Clinical Research Platform and Worldwide Observational Study for Huntington's Disease. Front Neurol. 2021; 12:667420. PMC: 8416308. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.667420. View

13.

von Bastian C, Reinhartz A, Udale R, Gregoire S, Essounni M, Belleville S . Mechanisms of processing speed training and transfer effects across the adult lifespan: protocol of a multi-site cognitive training study. BMC Psychol. 2022; 10(1):168. PMC: 9270821. DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00877-7. View

14.

Bachoud-Levi A, Ferreira J, Massart R, Youssov K, Rosser A, Busse M . International Guidelines for the Treatment of Huntington's Disease. Front Neurol. 2019; 10:710. PMC: 6618900. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00710. View

15.

Boyce P, Hopwood M, Morris G, Hamilton A, Bassett D, Baune B . Switching antidepressants in the treatment of major depression: When, how and what to switch to?. J Affect Disord. 2019; 261:160-163. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.082. View

16.

Penney Jr J, Vonsattel J, Macdonald M, Gusella J, Myers R . CAG repeat number governs the development rate of pathology in Huntington's disease. Ann Neurol. 1997; 41(5):689-92. DOI: 10.1002/ana.410410521. View

17.

Peeters G, Black I, Gomersall S, Fritschi J, Sweeney A, de Oliveira Y . Behaviour Change Techniques in Computerized Cognitive Training for Cognitively Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Neuropsychol Rev. 2022; 33(1):238-254. PMC: 9998598. DOI: 10.1007/s11065-022-09537-4. View

18.

Pini L, Jacquemot C, Cagnin A, Meneghello F, Semenza C, Mantini D . Aberrant brain network connectivity in presymptomatic and manifest Huntington's disease: A systematic review. Hum Brain Mapp. 2019; 41(1):256-269. PMC: 7268025. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24790. View

19.

Stout J, Queller S, Baker K, Cowlishaw S, Sampaio C, Fitzer-Attas C . HD-CAB: a cognitive assessment battery for clinical trials in Huntington's disease 1,2,3. Mov Disord. 2014; 29(10):1281-8. DOI: 10.1002/mds.25964. View

20.

Silva P, Spedo C, Barreira A, Leoni R . Symbol Digit Modalities Test adaptation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging environment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2018; 20:136-143. DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2018.01.014. View