Evidence Brain Games = Boost In Cognitive Health
A new study shows that engaging in cognitively stimulating activities, particularly games such as cards or puzzles, is associated with greater brain volumes and higher cognitive test scores in cognitively normal adults at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
In a cross-sectional study, participants who reported engaging frequently in game playing had higher brain volumes in regions related to AD, including the hippocampus and posterior cingulate, compared with nonplayers and had higher scores on tests of episodic memory and executive function.
“Taken together, engagement in cognitively stimulating activities might be a useful approach for preserving brain volume and cognitive functions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease,” lead Stephanie Schultz, BSc, from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, concluded.
While all cognitive activities are useful in this regard, “the game activity showed some unique aspects,” says Schultz..
The results were reported here at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2014.
via Blogger http://bit.ly/1yskXDT
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