Can You Train Your Brain to Prevent Dementia?

Lois Collins of Deseret News published an in-depth look at brain training games, asking the question: “Can you train your brain to overcome dementia, depression and other challenges?”

“Folks who think just working on crossword puzzles or playing sudoku will keep their brains sharp are apt to be disappointed,” writes Collins. Puzzles and brain training games can be challenging, entertaining and fun. But a lot of them don’t work in terms of improving cognitive health, she adds.

As people head into their 60s, 70s and 80s, developing dementia is a top worry. Most older adults are interested in learning what they can do to preserve their cognitive health.

While it turns out that most brain training games get mixed reviews in terms of benefiting the brain, evidence from recent studies suggests that complex programs targeting speed, focus and accuracy can make a difference.

The federal government agrees, and is investing in brain training games and apps by funding clinical trials.

Collins interviewed Greg Bayles of the University of Utah, where some of the clinical trials are being held. The key to evaluating the effectiveness of various brain training games, says Bayles, is that they must be evidence-based and include peer-reviewed studies.

The type of brain training that work best are programs that adjust rules and instructions, that change requirements as the game progresses. This type of training challenges players. “It’s not simple memory work,” reports Collins. Rather, this type of brain training targets different parts of the brain and involves different brain functions. 

The games that have been shown to improve cognitive functions contain complicating factors that make the tasks increasingly difficult over time.  

People doing this type of brain training can see measurable results. Bayles reports that when people hear about the promise of brain games, they say, “‘I want to do that.’ But they think it’s going to be 15 minutes here and there … when they want. But the brain training that works is structured and exhausting,” he adds.  

Despite that, people are motivated to continue. "We have very low attrition rates because they know that it's helping them," says Bayles. 

Studies are ongoing, but initial results show promise. Some brain games may be able to help with short-term memory loss and loss of executive functioning. “What we reliably see with these kinds of exercises is they do improve cognitive function, memory, attention, speed,” says Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, the maker of BrainHQ.

Participants in the games that show promise need to concentrate. They need to pay attention to details, to move fast. The games require focus.  While not fun, as such, with practice and over time, participants can get better at these challenging games and actually improve their cognitive health. That’s the hope.

Mahncke’s belief is that studies will eventually prove that dementia is a preventable disorder, one we can affect by improving brain health through a variety of challenges.

It’s never too late to strengthen your brain, agree both Bayles and Mahncke.

MORE INFORMATION

This article singled out two brain games: Neurogrow (neurogrow.com) and BrainHQ (brainhq.com).

In addition to brain training games, here are some other ways to preserve your cognitive health:

• Try learning a foreign language
• Learning to play a musical instrument is great for the brain
• Even stimulating conversations can help
• Keep in mind that physical exercise is one of the main ingredients for maintaining brain health
• Try sports that like tennis that require being fast and accurate, that require eye-hand coordination. Even ping-pong, juggling and square dancing have been shown to help strengthen cognitive health
• The Mayo Clinic suggests following the MIND diet to optimize brain health: Improve brain health with the MIND diet - Mayo Clinic 

To read the full article link to: Do brain games like BrainHQ and Neurogrow work? - Deseret News