Personalized brain training guided by your body's nervous system for mild memory problems

Develop an ANS-based Personalized Cognitive Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11177053

A personalized brain-training program that uses signals from your autonomic nervous system to help people with mild cognitive impairment get more benefit from processing-speed exercises.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11177053 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would do computerized speed-of-processing exercises while researchers measure signals from your autonomic nervous system (for example heart-rate patterns) to see how your body responds during learning. The team will build a "personalization engine" (called pSOPT) that combines those nervous-system signals with learning performance to tailor the training to each person. First they will refine the program and test feasibility, then they will run a preliminary trial to see if the personalized approach improves learning and brain health in people with MCI. Advanced time-series data methods will be used to create the personalization rules and guide who gets which kinds of training.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment who can use a computer and are medically stable enough to participate in training and brief physiological recordings.

Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, severe sensory or motor impairments that prevent using the training, or unstable medical conditions are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could make computerized cognitive training work better for people with mild cognitive impairment and help preserve thinking and daily function longer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous speed-of-processing training has helped some older adults but results vary, and using autonomic nervous system signals to personalize training is a relatively new and promising approach.

Where this research is happening

STANFORD, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Alzheimer's disease pathology

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.