Massive clinical trial investigates brain training to delay dementia onset

An expansive clinical trial led by USF researchers and aimed at delaying the onset of dementia continues to receive major federal support for addressing a public health crisis.

The Preventing Alzheimer's with Cognitive Training (PACT) study has received an additional $2.8 million from the National Institutes of Health to continue researching whether computerized brain training exercises can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. The PACT study has now received more than $50 million in federal grant funding.

PACT, which began in 2020 at the University of South Florida, has expanded to include 10 sites across the southeast U.S., including at Duke University, Clemson University and the University of Florida. It is the largest clinical trial of its kind, with 7,600 older adults enrolled from all key demographic groups to participate.

Developing solutions to slow down and reduce dementia is a scientific priority for the federal government and within our society. With the Baby Boomer generation aging, we are seeing drastic increases in cognitive decline and dementia, further highlighting this critical public health problem that we need to address."