Brain+ AD Detect-Prevent is investigating the potential of digital apps for cognitive training (often known as brain training) for Alzheimer's Disease. 

Brain+ is a two year European project (2019-2021) which is led by Brain+ Aps, a Danish digital therapeutics company, and also involves the School of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham, Oxford University, Aarhus University, Alzheimer Europe and the European Brain Council.

Brain+ Aps has developed a digital platform for adaptive cognitive training and behavioural programs aimed at brain health, and is also gamifying a test for working memory which may have a role in detecting pre-symptomatic Alzheimer's DIsease.

To support the technical work, MindTech (Mike Craven & Kyle Harrington) will organise a set of Patient and Public involvement (PPI) sessions to identify user perceptions of target user-groups about these technologies.  At this early stage of development of the technology MindTech will provide guidance about the structure of a future clinical study. The research will involve an iterative, user-centred involvement approach to identify expectations and concerns about Brain Training and to explore factors governing their promotion and use such as trust, motivation, and adherence.

'Brain training' commonly refers to digital games that are aimed at training a variety of cognitive skills including memory, focus, processing speed and perception and/or provide memory coaching. Digitised cognitive training promises novel, easily administered and low-cost methods for slowing the decline of cognitive abilities due to neurodegenerative illness such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Gamified apps for people at-risk of dementia or in the general population also present further opportunities; unobtrusive cognitive testing or screening, enabling patients, carers and clinicians to make informed choices about future care options and to pre-empt or treat symptoms which are susceptible to early intervention. Such tests present complex challenges surrounding diagnostic accuracy, ethics, preference and choice.

In addition to MindTech’s PPI work, Max Wilson in Computer Science will study cognitive workload during the use of the applications, using functional Near Intra-Red Imaging (fNIRS).

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