ACDC

2017-1-IT02-KA204-036825

What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a degeneration of the cognitive functions which causes changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals themselves or by people around them, but the alterations are not severe enough to interfere with daily life. Approximately from 15 to 20 % of people aged 65 or older have MCI and its prevalence increases with the population age. The causes of MCI are not yet completely understood and the risk factors most strongly associated with it are the same as those for dementia (i.e. advancing age, family history of Alzheimer’s and all the conditions that raise the risk for cardiovascular diseases).

What can be done to prevent it?

No medications are currently approved to treat or prevent MCI. In the last years, a growing attention has been paid to lifestyle interventions. In this context, Cognitive Training seems to be effective in preventing cognitive decline or in delaying its progression. With this aim, several gaming platforms have been designed in which users can train their brain. They specifically target some aspects of cognition (cognitive domains). On the ACDC platform you can play games and learn useful tips to prevent cognitive decline!

What are the cognitive domains?

The cognitive domains are distinct types of functions which the brain uses to execute behaviours. They include Attention, Language, Visuospatial skills, Motor skills, Executive functions, Memory, Knowledge. Particularly, a recent research shows that there are four domains where computerized cognitive training is significantly effective in preventing or delaying cognitive decline. In fact, by playing ACDC platform games, you will find that they concern these four areas, namely: