120 people aged 55 to 75 with no neurological disease are expected at the Clinical Investigation Center (CIC) of the Lille University Hospital to participate in the PACTE-1 study. This study, which will last for 2 years, should allow researchers to determine whether regular intellectual training can become a means of treatment and prevention of cognitive disorders.
Work on brain plasticity
With advancing age, intellectual abilities tend to be less efficient. This phenomenon can sometimes represent a risk of progression towards more severe disorders for which there is no treatment to date. This is why we want to develop a new strategy that would increase brain plasticity and intellectual abilities in a more significant and prolonged way” underlines Prof. David Devos, neurologist, researcher at Inserm and coordinator of the study.
How is it going to happen ?
The volunteers will follow an attention training program twice a week for 6 weeks. Taking a drug that stimulates brain plasticity will also potentially be requested. “It’s about methylphenidatea drug that has been recommended for more than 20 years in hyperactive children with attention deficit. It is, in the context of this study, used at a much lower dose” the researchers point out.
Financial compensation in the amount of €400 will be offered to volunteers taking part in the study.
Those interested should send an email to the following address: ciclille@chru-lille.fr
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