Oops! Brain training doesn't help aging brains

[wraggster]

In a blow to Nintendo's hopes that their Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day title for the Nintendo DS would sell bajillions of copies to aging boomers who want to halt the rate at which their brains slip into senility, the Wall Street Journal's Science Journal debunks the idea that brain training of any sort can help slow the rate of mental decline.

The Journal quotes a recent study by University of Virginia’s Timothy Salthouse that found "little scientific evidence that engagement in mentally stimulating activities alters the rate of mental aging" calling the belief "more of an optimistic hope than an empirical reality."

Furthermore, "Even in the most mentally engaged elderly -- chess experts, professors, doctors -- mental function declines as steeply as in people to whom mental exercise means choosing which TV show to watch," Sharon Begley -- the author of the piece -- writes.

The news isn't all bad, though. Even though rigorous training fails to halt the rate of decline of our wetware, trained brains do perform trained tasks better, according to the Journal. If, for instance, you were to regularly practice math, you'd be faster with numbers than those who haven't been practicing.

Later this week, Begley will examine which types of training provides boosts brains best. We'll be sure to follow up then.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/oo...-aging-brains/

[Vegetable]

I was aware that keeping your brain active prevented alzheimers.

[Cap'n 1time]

yup, learning somthing new and making connections is proven to slow the senile brain disorders.. dont know what this brain training game is all about though.

[dreary79]

for $20 USD I was going to buy it... but after reading this I know this game is bad for people.

[GinaWrite]

Ignoring all the science, the game has some rather fun parts. It's worth the $20 just for those.

[jangosolo]

for $20 USD I was going to buy it... but after reading this I know this game is bad for people.

Bad for people??

Its a cracking little app

I have really enjoyed it, its challenging and fun, surely there is a benefit. My Nan kept her mind occupied with crosswords and puzzles all her life and her mind was well sharp.

I think anything that tests logic and memory is good for you

[cloud_952]

Not to mention, just because something "isn't good" for you doesn't mean it's "bad". o_O Nothing in the article says that it's bad at all. Simply that it doesn't provide the benefits people had claimed.

[GaMeR_2000]

It actually says its good because it will help you be better at what you practice at in it.