Memory and cognitive function in aging: Can a loss club help? 

 
   Lead Investigator:    Tom Fritsch
   Institution      :    Parkison Research Institute
   E-Mail           :    tfritsch.PRI@gmail.com
   Proposal ID      :    174



   Proposal Description:
   Memory clubs are emerging at a grass roots level across the country, but few studies have been conducted which evaluate their potential efficacy. In a correlation design, we examined whether participation in a memory club, over one year, was associated with changes in measures of cognitive function (specifically, executive function measures, and measures of memory). We found that participation in the club was associated with improvements in some domains halted decline in others but was associated with decline on a delayed memory test. This was not a RCT, nor did it have a control group. Thus, we are seeking normative data from NACC so that we may compare rates of decline in persons with ADRD who participated in the memory club intervention to persons with ADRD who did not participate in this intervention (these latter data would be provided by NACC). While imperfect, this comparison, using NACC data, could provide convergent evidence that our memory club had some efficacy (if differences between our and the NACC measures are found).