Brain food just got searchable

BRAIN FOOD is usually something academically stimulating or physically nutritious – yet researchers are now saying that searching the internet could improve the brain function of older people.

Researchers from the Centre on Aging at the University of California have found in a study to go in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry that web activity can stimulate the brain more than more common activities such as reading a book.

The study took two groups of adults aged between 55 and 76 and examined the neurological activity of as they conducted a number of tasks.

One group was chosen for its knowledge of the internet, the other for the opposite reason – they were then placed inside an MRI scanner while reading books and performing internet searches.

Brain activity was shown to increase in both groups – however the internet users had a greater amount of activity while performing web searches, the most active areas of the brain proving to be decision making and reasoning.

Professor Gary Small said, "The study results are encouraging: emerging computerised technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults. Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function."

This research is different, as previously search engines such as Google have received criticism in this sector – accusations of less detailed information and the encouragement of unreliable behaviour and reduced concentration patterns.

However Small’s study has had big results, in his words, "There's so much interest in exercising our minds as we age. One result of this study is that these technologies are not all bad. They may be good in keeping our brains active." µ

L'Inq
Guardian