Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD)MEMONCT07479914
Art of Memory for Cognitive Enhancement in the Monza Brain Health Service
A study testing Art of memory classes and General information on art of memory in people with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and Alzheimer's Disease, run by University of Milano Bicocca at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), Alzheimer's Disease, Cognitive Enhancement
- What is being tested?
- Art of memory classes and General information on art of memory
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 24 Nov 2025to 1 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 50 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
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:
Read more
- 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.
- Being tested
- Art of memory classes, General information on art of memory
- Keywords
- Subjective Cognitive Decline, Alzheimer's disease, pTau-217, art of memory, Cognitive enhancement
- Medical subject headings
- Alzheimer Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Art of memory classesOther
Also called Mnemonics, Memory techniques
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
General information on art of memoryOther
The control group will receive general information about memory techniques but no structured training or platform access
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Art of memory | Experimental | The art of memory group 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 Receives: Other: Art of memory classes |
| Control | Other | The control group will receive general information about memory techniques but no structured training or platform access Receives: Other: General information on art of memory |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline to 6 months in composite neuropsychological test battery (NTB) z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)
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.
Measured: Baseline to 6 months
Secondary outcomes (7)
Drop-out rate
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.
Measured: From randomization to 9 months
Change from baseline to 9 months in composite NTB z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)
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.
Measured: Baseline to 9 months
Influence of biological markers on cognitive change
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.
Measured: Baseline biomarkers with cognitive change from baseline to 6 and 9 months
Change in Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q) scores (range: 0-24, higher scores mean worse outcomes)
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.
Measured: Baseline to 6 and 9 months
Change in face-name association test z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)
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.
Measured: Baseline to 6 and 9 months
Change in 1-week memory battery z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)
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.
Measured: Baseline to 6 and 9 months
Change in cognitive-motor performance (Timed Up and Go test)
Difference between the active and control groups in longitudinal change in Timed Up and Go test performance, evaluating combined cognitive-motor function.
Measured: Baseline to 6 and 9 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Mar 2026
- Study start24 Nov 2025
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Milano Bicocca
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Lucio Tremolizzo, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07479914
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MEMO
- Acronym
- MEMO
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All anonimized raw data
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Art of Memory for Cognitive Enhancement in the Monza Brain Health Service
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07479914
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MEMO / MEMO
- Keywords
- Subjective Cognitive Decline, Alzheimer's disease, pTau-217, art of memory, Cognitive enhancement
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Milano BicoccaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center
- Study start
- 24 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Art of memory | Experimental | Other: Art of memory classesThe art of memory group 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 |
| Control | Other | Other: General information on art of memoryThe control group will receive general information about memory techniques but no structured training or platform access |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Art of memory classesAlso: Mnemonics, Memory techniquesThe 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 | Art of memory |
| General information on art of memoryThe control group will receive general information about memory techniques but no structured training or platform access | Other | Control |
Primary outcome
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.
7 secondary outcomes
Drop-out rate
Time frame: From randomization to 9 months
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
Influence of biological markers on cognitive change
Time frame: Baseline biomarkers with cognitive change from baseline to 6 and 9 months
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
Change in face-name association test z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)
Time frame: Baseline to 6 and 9 months
Change in 1-week memory battery z-score (range: - infinity, infinity; higher scores mean better outcomes)
Time frame: Baseline to 6 and 9 months
Change in cognitive-motor performance (Timed Up and Go test)
Time frame: Baseline to 6 and 9 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All anonimized raw data
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Lucio Tremolizzo, MD, PhD principal investigator
Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Art of memory classes and General information on art of memory in people with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and Alzheimer's Disease, run by University of Milano Bicocca at 1 site in Italy.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
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). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Mar 2026.