The goal is to determine whether three months of at least three times / week of sensory flicker stimulation improves cognition, mobility, and affect in healthy older adults and older adults with and without Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD). Investigators will also determine whether the intervention slows cortical thinning and declines in brain functional network segregation and changes in blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
Community dwelling men and women 65-89 years old
Ability to walk unassisted for 10 min
English speaking Additional Inclusion Criteria for SCD
No evidence of dementia or MCI based on cognitive screening (i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score within normal limits for age, education, and sex using the NACC Uniform Data Set (UDS) norms
If participants score less than 21 on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS)
Significant medical event requiring hospitalization in the past 6 months that has the potential to contaminate data being collected (fracture, hospitalization etc.)
Severe visual impairment or corrected visual acuity less than 20/40 (as per self-report), which would preclude completion of assessments
Inability to undergo MRI brain imaging due to claustrophobia or implants such as pacemakers, heart valves, brain aneurysm clips, orthodontics, certain non-removable body jewelry, or shrapnel containing ferromagnetic metal
Parallel
Experimental -- 16.67 Hz Visual Occlusion
BehavioralThis group will wear visual occlusion glasses with visible stimulation at 16.67 Hz (corresponding to flicker of 32-36 Hz)
Control - 1Hz Visual Occlusion
BehavioralThis group will wear visual occlusion glasses with visible stimulation at 1 Hz
Cognition - The Tablet-based Cognitive Assessment Tool (TabCAT)
This test battery assesses performance in various cognitive components. A composite score across subtasks will be computed. Higher scores in the composite indicates better cognition.
Mobility - Grip Strength
This test assesses grip strength in kg. A composite score across trials will be computed. Higher scores indicate more strength.
Mobility - 10 Meter Gait Speed
This test assesses speed in seconds during unassisted walking for 10 meters. A composite score across trials will be computed. Higher scores indicate lower walking speed.
Mobility - Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB)
This test assesses sway area (measured in m\^2/s\^4) with eyes open and closed while standing on a hard and a foam surface. A larger sway area indicates greater postural instability and poorer balance control during specific sensory conditions
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