This new research is good news to all video gamers out there. Study claims that engaging on a 30 minute three-dimensional video game per day can boost memory.
Researchers included 69 noob participants to devote at least half an hour of their day playing either "Angry Birds," "Super Mario 3D World" or none of the two. Results incredibly revealed that out of the three groups, only those who played a 3D game showed memory improvements. Rationale behind will probably point to the stimulation of the brain's hippocampus area, the learning and memory center.
To see how this might affect cognition, researchers enrolled individuals 18 to 22 years old who claimed to have previous experience on games. They were asked to play in a testing arena on weekdays for 10 days.
To note improvements, participants were given a series of memory tests that trigger the brain's hippocampus. First, they looked at images of common objects. And then because researchers believe that deciphering is the hippocampus' job, they were again shown photos of the same objects, a new one and another with slight modifications from the original.
Experts found that scores of the 3D gamers progress by 12 percent. And this memory gap tends to decline from ages 45 to 70 years.
However, further study is still needed as the current research poses some limitations, for instance, the sample size and difficulty levels of the games to name a few. Moreover, it is also likely that this same result is not yield on older individuals or beginners may not have the same expertise like the pros.
Nevertheless, if this is proven true, then this could benefit older people suffering with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. "If findings such as these are confirmed and extended, this could open the door to exploring a role for using 3D games clinically for patients with memory problems," University of Pittsburgh's Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health Dr. Brian Primack said.
