Computer brain games may not improve cognitive ability.

Moral of the story: Don't waste your money, but if you enjoy them, go for it.

Source: AMA Morning Rounds 4/21/2010

Computer brain games may not improve cognitive ability.

USA Today (4/21, Marcus) reports, "Computer brain games may not offer the big mental boost many were hoping for, suggests new research, but brain scientists and brain-game experts don't all agree on the findings." The study was published in Nature and "is the largest of its kind," its authors say. For the study, researchers recruited over "11,000 people between the ages of 18 and 60," who "were split into three groups, including two groups that played different brain-training games that are similar to commercially available games, and a control group that was asked to go online and find answers to questions about topics such as music." According to lead author Adrian Owen, "Participants did get better at games they practiced. The more they trained, the better they got. But there was still no translation to any general improvement in cognitive function."

        The Wall Street Journal (4/21, Naik) reports that companies which produce brain training and fitness games have experienced significant growth in the last few years, in part because of the increase in the number of baby boomers, and because previous research suggested that such games could benefit cognitive abilities. But, this six-week, online experiment has not borne out previous conclusions.