Potential effects of acute tVNS on cognitive performance
MCI
SECONDARY
VINCI-AD is a safety and feasibility study of tVNS device use in individual with MCI. Exploratory secondary analysis will also assess the potential benefits of acute tVNS on cognitive performance. Cognitive function will be assessed under identical conditions in all participants at all three visits and will encompass assessment of the following:
Face Name Association Task (FNAT): A cross-modal associative memory test [Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART): A computer based response inhibition task [SeaHero Quest ™ the electronic tablet-based app Sea Hero Quest (GLITCHERS © London, UK; University College London, London, UK) will be used whereby participants will be asked to complete 5 levels of increasing complexity of a nautical-themed navigation task designed to assess speed and accuracy of navigating a boat to a map target [Language assessments will include list learning, semantic fluency, list recall and list recognition assessments adapted from RBANS battery as tVNS has demonstrated benefits in these domains in both healthy [Working memory will be assessed via digit span forward and backward which will be undertaken as part of the adapted RBANS battery.Participants will wear the portable NIRS analysis device during all cognitive tasks so that the TSI may be measured continuously during cognitive tasks at baseline, during active and during sham stimulation.