Combination Therapy Slows Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

A recent study by researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and various Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA) sites has found that combining cognitive remediation techniques with transcranial direct current stimulation significantly slows cognitive decline in older adults with major depressive disorder and mild cognitive impairment. Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the study involved 375 participants and demonstrated marked improvements over a median follow-up of four years, particularly in those with a low genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. The treatment, which included specialized cognitive tasks and non-invasive brain stimulation, was administered over eight weeks, followed by maintenance sessions. This research highlights the importance of non-pharmacological interventions in dementia prevention and was supported by the Canada Brain Research Fund. The findings are seen as a pivotal step towards improving the quality of life for at-risk populations, as stated by Health Minister Mark Holland. Such advancements underscore the potential of multi-faceted approaches in addressing cognitive decline associated with depression.