SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Senior Browsers Get Their Brains Sharper

Senior Browsers Get Their Brains Sharper
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Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/17/08 06:46:00
 
The study, conducted by University of California Los Angeles researchers,
analyzed the brain activity of middle-age and older adults during web browsing.
It involved 24 adults, ages 55 to 78. No one among the participants had dementia
or any other neurological conditions, and they all had similar educational
levels. One half of the group searched the Internet at least once a day, while
the other half used it only once a month or never.
Brain activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
scans on two separate activities: while reading text (formatted to look like a
book and displayed on a computer monitor) and while performing web searches.
The researchers found that when both groups were reading the same areas of the
brain were stimulated. These involve brain regions that controlled language,
reading, memory and visual activity.
But the group that regularly went browsing on the web showed two times the brain
activity when they went on a new Internet search. The most active regions during
the search activity involved the frontal lobes, temporal lobes and cingulate
areas, which are involved in complex reasoning and decision making.
It thus appeared that computerized technologies have physiological effects that
benefit the well-being of middle-aged and older adults. The most noteworthy
finding was that searching the Internet engages the neural network and circuitry
of the brain on a scale larger than in reading — but this was significant only
when there was prior experience with browsing.
In short, the more experience in Internet searching, the greater the degree of
engagement of the brain.
As people age, numerous changes occur in the brain. Cognitive functions normally
slow down as the brain undergoes atrophy, reduced neural network activity, and
increased plaque deposits.
Many previous studies have found that people who continue to engage their brains
in mind-stimulating activity, even crossword or Soduku puzzles, show better
abilities at preserving cognitive functions and overall improvements in brain
health.
This study is the first of its kind that assesses the impact of Internet usage
on brain activity. To middle-aged and older people, this may be a revelation.
The findings suggest that older people can continue to learn as brain
sensitivity has not deteriorated but only needs regular stimulation.
Safety Tip:
* Browse regularly, at least once a day. You might learn something or make a new
friend.