The Effects of Cognitive Training on Neurodegenerative Disease: A Proposed Study

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases impact over 5 million Americans and costs over $290 billion annually. One possible method to restore cognitive functioning is cognitive training. Cognitive training is a broad term and can include activities like brain games, puzzles, meditation, music training, and many more activities.While there have been many studies researching individual forms of cognitive training, none have researched combining two forms of training. This research will study the effects of a combined cognitive training programming that includes 1) music training and 2) exergaming. Exergaming is a new form of training combining aerobic exercise and cognitive training on participants with AD. Other research has found positive effects of these training programs separately; therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that they will have at least a positive, non-interactive effect on cognitive functioning