Computerised cognitive training exercises showing promise as a Schizophrenia treatment

18 Dec 2011 Duncan Ferguson, Elite Minds

A National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded controlled multisite controlled trial will take place next year which will further investigate the impacts of computerised cognitive training (CCT) upon schizophrenia patients. Pending the results, this could lead to the widespread used of CCT as a tool for treating schizophrenia patients. 

The results of a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2009 highlighted the potential for CCT. It showed that intensive training (daily, 50 hours in total) of auditory perception, auditory-verbal working memory and verbal learning tasks. Relative to a control group, the results showed significant improvement in cognition. 

Beyond the improvements in cognition, CCT has also been shown to produce improvements in quality of life. Another paper published in 2009, in Biological Psychiatry, showed significant improvements in cognition and a significant increase in BNDF levels. The increase in BNDF levels was evident after 2 weeks of CCT compared to a control group who played computer games. After 10 weeks the CCT group normalised their mean serum BNDF levels, no change was evident in the control group. 

CCT training was also correlated with increases in quality-of-life scores six months after training.  The theory behind the increase in this score is that CCT of lower-level perceptual and auditory working memory processes can drive enhancements in higher-order cognitive functions associated with quality of life. 

We look forward to the results of the NIMH-funded study.

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