Research presented this week at the Neuroscience 2009 meeting in Chicago revealed an interesting side effect of internet use on older brains. Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles found that frequent internet use among the elderly – even those who only recently started using the web – increased brain functioning beyond their baseline. By comparing novice users to seasoned internet veterans the researchers found that even after just one week of using the internet, the novice users’ brains showed activity in areas important for working memory and decision making – activity that wasn’t apparent on brain scans prior to engagement with the web. [via Medical News Today]
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Tags: brain, california, cognition, internet, Los Angeles, memory, neuroscience, UCLA
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:31 am
Good to have anything to stimulate the brain at 86!
October 21st, 2009 at 8:32 am
Good to have anything to stimulate the brai at 86
October 21st, 2009 at 8:50 am
Playing Poker has the same effect, causes one to think and utilize brain cells not used on a day-to-day basis. Playing video poker on the net gives a double whammy.
October 21st, 2009 at 10:24 am
internet is simple nd good way to stimulate the brain
October 21st, 2009 at 11:39 am
Hey, Kent: I’m with you….unless it involves money!