https://doi.org/10.4081/gc.2026.15773
22 | Early-cogn^3: smart digital solutions for early treatment of cognitive disability
M. Cotelli1, F. Baglio2, E.G.E.C.A.D.T. I Pagnoni G Binetti E Dognini3, F. Rossetto2, C. Mangione2, A. Comanducci2, T. Atzori2, G. Tartarisco4, S. Campisi4, R.S. Calabrò5, R. Maione5, M.G. Maggio5, S. De Salvo5, S. Bertino5, C. Saraceno6, S. Bellini6, M. Bortoletto7, B. Borroni8, R. Ghidoni6, R. Manenti1 | 1Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia; 2IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi—ONLUS, Milan; 3IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia; 4National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Messina; 5IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino Pulejo”, Messina; 6Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia; 7Neurophysiology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia AND Molecular Mind Lab, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca; 8Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia AND Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia.
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Published: 11 June 2026
Introduction. Healthy cognitive functioning is a primary component of well-being, independence, and successful aging. Cognitive deficits can arise from various conditions, such as brain injury, mental illness, and neurological disorders. Rehabilitation is a specialized service limited to patients with access to institutional settings. In response to this unmet need, telehealth solutions are ideal for triggering the migration of care from clinics to patients’ homes.
Objectives. This project aims to: 1) test the efficacy of a digital health at-home intervention (tele@cognitive) compared to unstructured cognitive at-home rehabilitation (Active Control Group, ACG) in subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Subjective Cognitive Complaints (SCCs), and Parkinson’s Disease (PD); 2) investigate the effects of tele@cognitive on biomolecular and neurophysiological markers; 3) analyze cognitive, neurobiological and neurophysiological predictors of treatment response.
Materials and Methods. This multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled pilot study will include 60 participants with MCI, SCCs, and PD. Subjects will be randomized to tele@cognitive or ACG. Clinical and neuropsychological assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), post-treatment (5 weeks, T1) and 3-month follow-up (T2). Neurophysiological (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS) and biomolecular data will be collected at T0 and T1.
Results. We hypothesize that tele@cognitive treatment will yield significant benefits than ACG in cognitive performance, global functioning, and well-being, with measurable neurobiological effects.
Conclusions. This project could lead to a paradigm shift from the traditional therapeutic approach, forcing a reassessment on how CNDs could take advantage of a digital solution.
This research was funded by the European Union—Next Generation EU—PNRR M6C2—Investimento 2.1 Valorizzazione e potenziamento della ricerca biomedica del SSN (PNRR-MCNT2-2023-12377069; CUP=C83C24000200007).
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