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NCT Number: NCT07479914

Art of Memory for Cognitive Enhancement in the Monza Brain Health Service

The goal of this pilot interventional clinical trial (non-drug study) is to learn whether memory techniques (mnemonics) can improve cognitive performance in adults over 50 years old with subjective cognitive decline who are followed at the Brain Health Service of Monza. The study will also evaluate the feasibility of this intervention and explore which biological or clinical factors may influence its effects.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Do memory techniques improve overall cognitive performance, measured by a composite score from a neuropsychological test battery, after 6 months? * Are any cognitive benefits maintained over time (up to 9 months)? * Do biomarkers (such as blood p-tau217 levels, APOE genotype, or brain atrophy on MRI) influence the response to memory training? * Do memory techniques improve subjective cognitive complaints and performance on sensitive memory and cognitive-motor tests?

Researchers will compare a memory training group to a control group receiving information only to see whether structured mnemonic training leads to greater improvement in cognitive outcomes.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either the memory training group or the control group. Both groups will undergo complete cognitive assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months.

If assigned to the training group, participants will attend two in-person group sessions to learn basic and advanced memory techniques, participate in two additional online group meetings, access online video materials, and practice memory exercises on a dedicated online platform for about 20 minutes per day.

If assigned to the control group, participants will receive general information about memory techniques but no structured training or platform access.

A total of 80 participants (40 per group) will be enrolled. This pilot study will help estimate the size of the effect and determine whether a larger future study is feasible.

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Key information

Conditions

Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer's Disease Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cognitive Enhancement Dementia Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Tauopathies

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori

Monza, Lombardy, 20900, Italy

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) according to Jessen et al., 2014 criteria
  • Evaluation at the Brain Health Service (BHS) of Monza
  • Prior brain MRI performed at Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori
  • Prior blood sampling for measurement of biomarkers of cerebral amyloidosis
  • Age > 50 years
  • Adequate digital literacy (ability to access websites and participate in video calls)
  • Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent before study participation

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe visual and/or hearing impairment interfering with participation
  • Inability to participate in online training activities or attend in-person group sessions
  • Enrollment in another interventional study with an expected effect on cognition
  • Refusal or withdrawal of consent to participate

Treatment and study plan

Art of memory classes

Other

The intervention will consist of:

  • two in-person and two online group sessions to learn basic and advanced memory techniques, taught by experienced memory athletes (Vanni de Luca, Andrea Muzii and Alessandro de Concini)
  • dedicated online video materials
  • self-paced exercises on the memoryleague.com website for about 20 minutes per day

Other names: Mnemonics, Memory techniques

General information on art of memory

Other

The control group will receive general information about memory techniques but no structured training or platform access

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline to 6 months in composite neuropsychological test battery (NTB) z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)

    Time frame: Baseline to 6 months

    Difference between the active mnemonic training group and the control group in the longitudinal change of the composite z-score derived from a standardized neuropsychological test battery (NTB). The composite score reflects global cognitive performance.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Drop-out rate

    Time frame: From randomization to 9 months

    Difference in study drop-out rates between the active mnemonic training group and the control group, used as a measure of feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.

  2. Change from baseline to 9 months in composite NTB z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)

    Time frame: Baseline to 9 months

    Difference between the active and control groups in the longitudinal change of the composite z-score derived from the neuropsychological test battery (NTB), evaluating the persistence of cognitive effects.

  3. Influence of biological markers on cognitive change

    Time frame: Baseline biomarkers with cognitive change from baseline to 6 and 9 months

    Association between baseline plasma p-tau217 levels, APOE genotype, and MRI-based brain atrophy measures with longitudinal change in composite NTB z-score, to explore predictors of response to mnemonic training.

  4. Change in Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q) scores (range: 0-24, higher scores mean worse outcomes)

    Time frame: Baseline to 6 and 9 months

    Difference between the active and control groups in longitudinal change in total and subscale scores of the Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q), assessing subjective cognitive complaints.

  5. Change in face-name association test z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)

    Time frame: Baseline to 6 and 9 months

    Difference between the active and control groups in longitudinal change in the z-score of the face-name association test, which is sensitive to early cognitive changes in subjective cognitive decline.

  6. Change in 1-week memory battery z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)

    Time frame: Baseline to 6 and 9 months

    Difference between the active and control groups in longitudinal change in the z-score of the 1-week delayed memory test, which is sensitive to early cognitive changes in subjective cognitive decline.

  7. Change in cognitive-motor performance (Timed Up and Go test)

    Time frame: Baseline to 6 and 9 months

    Difference between the active and control groups in longitudinal change in Timed Up and Go test performance, evaluating combined cognitive-motor function.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Milano Bicocca

Other

Collaborators

  • Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center

Registry information

Acronym: MEMO

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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