Language Intervention Training for Cognitive Protection in High-risk Cardio-Cerebrovascular Elderly Population

Launched by SECOND AFFILIATED HOSPITAL, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY · Mar 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a special language training program designed to help improve brain health in older adults who are at high risk for stroke. The training focuses on switching between different dialects, which can help enhance thinking skills like attention and memory. The goal is to see if this type of training can help protect against cognitive decline in older adults who may have issues with blood flow to the brain but do not have dementia.

To participate, you need to be at least 60 years old and have multiple risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. You should also be able to speak the Hangzhou dialect and be willing to complete all study assessments. Participants will receive the dialect-switching training over six months and will be monitored to see how it affects their cognitive abilities. It's important to note that individuals with a prior diagnosis of dementia or certain medical conditions may not be eligible for this study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients aged ≥ 60 years
• • High risk of stroke (with ≥ 3 of 8 stroke risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, atrial fibrillation or valvular heart disease, smoking history, obvious overweight or obesity, lack of exercise, family history of stroke, or with transient ischemic attack)
• • command of Hangzhou dialect
• • Written informed consent available
• • Willingness to complete all assessments and participate in follow-up
• • Adequate Visual and auditory acuity to undergo neuropsychological testing
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • previously diagnosed dementia
• • Suspected dementia after clinical assessment by study physician at screening visit
• • Previous history of major head trauma and any intracranial surgery
• • Intracranial abnormalities, such as intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage and other space occupying lesions
• • Extrapyramidal symptoms or mental illness which may affect neuropsychological measurement
• • Severe loss of vision, hearing, or communicative ability
• • Patients presenting a malignant disease with life expectancy \< 3 years
• • Participation in an ongoing investigational drug study
• • Any MRI contraindications