Study suggests games do the aging brain good

by Ross Miller { Dec 20th 2008 at 8:09PM }

It turns out that massive, floating, Andross-esque visage we affectionately dub Brain Age bastard Dr. Kawashima might have been onto something. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (via Reuters) conducted a study with 40 adults in their 60s and 70s, divided into two groups with one playing Rise of Nations approximately 23 hours over the span of a month and the other playing nothing.

The results? Those who gamed reportedly showed improvements in cognitive tests for memory, reasoning and multi-tasking. Researchers caution against jumping to conclusions until further studies are conducted. May we suggest seeing what happens when they try to play Space Giraffe and Left 4 Dead?

Tags: research, rise-of-nations, study

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

syrik zero @ Dec 20th 2008 8:14PM

Cool news. By all accounts I should be a genius soon then =)

Markez (Anti-Panda Death Murder Squadron) @ Dec 20th 2008 8:17PM

Judging by some of the bickering I've seen, and participated in, since my tenure at Joystiq I would perhaps posit the opposite :P

Going off their results, means that some how, some way, Katamari is helping my brain? Really?

Wonder how they came to select Rise of Nations as the game to use in the study...

Haggard @ Dec 20th 2008 8:20PM

You should see the bickering amongst pensioners who don't play games. That shit's off the hook!

Foetoid @ Dec 20th 2008 8:21PM

This doesn't surprise me. I dropped out of school at the start of Yr 12, with poor results throughout highschool, but every IQ test i've ever taken, in real-life and online, put me at 25-30% above the human average. And i've been playing videogames since i was 2.

Haggard @ Dec 20th 2008 8:27PM

Academic performance and wisdom/intelligence aren't linked more than 40% I'd say.

You get people who do really well because they have very mathematical brains, or because they spend all their free time revising - but it doesn't make them clever, just knowledgeable about exams and the subject.

Meanwhile I know a lot of people, and would consider myself included, that are lazy or just don't click with the exam-based school system, and yet are some of the most rational, witty and intelligent people I've met.

Foetoid @ Dec 20th 2008 9:02PM

Spot on Haggard, agreed. I consider myself quite rational, witty and intelligent, tho painfully immature at times lol.

WRE @ Dec 20th 2008 9:10PM

But what about those of us that excel both academically and..uh...video gameically?

Levi @ Dec 20th 2008 11:05PM

I agree 100% Haggard

You da man, you da man.

Noshino @ Dec 21st 2008 2:57AM

Uh, yah, Foetoid, I wouldn't recommend anyone to take an online IQ test, better check a certified place, or better yet, just take one by Mensa.

Haggard,

"You get people who do really well because they have very mathematical brains, or because they spend all their free time revising - but it doesn't make them clever, just knowledgeable about exams and the subject."

Sorry, but I have to disagree with that.

Academic performance is for the most part not linked to "mathematical brains", actually, the ones that often have the best performance are the ones that rather often have an average IQ. Academic Performance is more linked to responsibility than to knowledge.

Second, whether you like it or not, knowledge is a must to be clever, you are confusing things, the fact that many "smart" guys aren't clever on certain things isn't because they aren't smart, is because they lack knowledge on that matter.

I think the reason as to why many smart people don't perform well at school is more because some of them end up disappointed by the system. I have known people that just didn't like the fact that what they were taught was nowhere near their level, and so didn't even care much about school.

In my case, I'm disappointed on the big focus that is put on homework, it is well known that they can be copied off someone with close to no consequences, yet they are worth more than exams (at least here in South Florida), now, I know exams are not THE way to score someone, studying each student is the way to go, but in today's economy, teachers are barely paid, so the best feasible way (that doesn't require that many resources nor time) would be to put a heavier emphasis on exams.

"Meanwhile I know a lot of people, and would consider myself included, that are lazy or just don't click with the exam-based school system, and yet are some of the most rational, witty and intelligent people I've met."

So do I, but guess what? they tend to be the most rational, witty and intelligent because they have broad...knowledge, they have experienced more, and as such have been able to, although without knowing, gather information. These people also gather information about things that others don't put much interest on, they are commonly called street smart.

Now, that's not to say that there aren't people that can be both.

Although I don't think you were trying to offend anyone, the sad truth is that these 2 sides are usually very discriminative, and that won't go away til society, and the school system along with it, changes.

Foetoid @ Dec 21st 2008 3:33AM

""Meanwhile I know a lot of people, and would consider myself included, that are lazy or just don't click with the exam-based school system, and yet are some of the most rational, witty and intelligent people I've met."

So do I, but guess what? they tend to be the most rational, witty and intelligent because they have broad...knowledge, they have experienced more, and as such have been able to, although without knowing, gather information. These people also gather information about things that others don't put much interest on, they are commonly called street smart."

I guess i could probably agree with most of that. I moved out of home the moment i was 16 and could apply for Youth Allowance (The Aussie government just hands out free money to anyone). I learned a lot, and i have friends who, 9 years later, still live with their parents (most have moved BACK to parents). I find that my general knowledge is very good and i watch a few game shows from home and can hit most answers easily. I should try to find a real-life IQ test and not an online one. The only example i have is my Army entry IQ test, and they told me i ranked well above whats needed for general or officer entry which kinda reflects my online scores. As intelligent as i think i am, i also do stupid things, and don't think things through properly at times. Perhaps clumsiness, forgetfulness and laziness go hand-in-hand with intelligence, tho that makes no sense to me.

Noshino @ Dec 21st 2008 4:18AM

haha, Foetoid, I don't know how it works in Australia, but here in the US I really wouldn't recommend taking the assessment test provided by the military (known here as the ASVAB), if you rank above average they won't stop calling you to recruit you til after 2 years (which is when the grades aren't considered anymore)

There are multiple entities that issue standardized intelligence tests, but its easier if you just ask your local psychologist.

Funny thing, 7 members out of 257 that make up the Cerebrals Society mention video games as a hobby...lol (http://www.cerebrals.org/members.php)

Haggard @ Dec 21st 2008 5:43AM

Yeah, knowledge is required to be clever - but everyone earns knowledge at school regardless of whether they have the ability or motivation to apply it to the exam at the end of the year.

As I say, it's all anecdotal evidence but there are people whom I wouldn't trust to cook a pot of pasta or be able to understand 1984, but who get all A*s in the exams because they simply sit at home and revise so much that there is nothing else in their heads except the subject.

Being able to parrot information in the recommended structure of an essay does not equal intelligence.

Levi @ Dec 21st 2008 10:33AM

Ehh, I disagere with a lot of that. Knowledge is definitely a large part of "being clever," the same way that a large vocabulary often times really helps out a good rapper. I think being clever and being intelligent should be completely separated in this discussion. I also think that you can be clever without being knowledgeable. Knowledge just helps. I, for one, Don't Know Jack. I watch Jeopardy and feel dumb as a box o' rocks. I lose every game of Trivial Pursuit I play. At the same time (and I don't think there's any way to say this without sounding like I have an ego), I think my friends would consider me the most clever when it comes to being able to assess a situation and take advantage of a loophole in a verbal outburst in order to garner some laughs. The jokes I make aren't really based on knowledge, but rather a short term assertiveness that I would say relies on a person's intelligence directly, not on knowledge.

Knowledge is power, though.

Also, I have to agree wholeheartedly with the homework bit. College [often times] gets it right, with the whole do-it-for-your-own-benefit thing. The first class I took in college was a math class I failed in high school. I failed it in high school because I didn't do the homework. The college course was literally almost all the same subject material. It was a three times per week course, and she gave homework EVERY DAY that we didn't have an exam. I did the first three or so assignments, then said screw it. I would follow along in class until I understood, then I'd doodle. I aced the class. I went to high school for an extra semester.

The dropout rate, at least around here, is skyrocketing, and it seems like it's even becoming more acceptable to drop out of high school. This is disheartening, but at the same time, enlightening. I think it shows that kids aren't willing to put up with the garbage that the public school systems put them through, though I don't think dropping out is going to do the individuals any good. It's true that if you get your GED and then proceed to go to college, it won't really hurt you. You don't have to put down your high school education on your resume, and nobody is going to ask about it during an interview, because nobody cares. They just want to know how you did in college. The whole system is just messed up bigtime right now. I knew it in high school, and I screwed it up because of it, but I knew I needed to finish. I took an IQ test by the certified school psychiatrist (is that who gives them in the high school? Or am I thinking of someone with a different title?), and I scored 123. They showed the chart afterward, and it said 125 was "genius." I don't accredit much to the IQ tests, but I think they are at least a general thing you can go by. In other words, I don't go around flaunting my IQ, but someone who gets a lower IQ in general will probably be less adept, and vice versa.

And they wouldn't let me wear my hat in school because they said it was distracting, but they let some b!tch wear angel wings. WTF??

jackal @ Dec 21st 2008 11:55AM

Noshino,

I don't know about the rest of the US, but the school I graduated from (for a reason that eludes me) has the ASVAB as a required test. Everyone, male or female, has to take it during their junior year of high school. Having said that, I scored extremely high on the ASVAB but I've never been bothered by a single military recruiter (army, air force, marines, navy). The only two people in my class who were being actively pursued by recruiters (marines) were two friends of mine since they were, at the time, actually considering a military career; they decided against it when they came to the realization that A) they'd go to some middle eastern hell hole for at least two back-to-back tours, B) they would inevitably be recalled to fight after those tours, and C) military recruiters will sell their souls if they can sign you up.

Having said that, I do know of one person who did so poorly on the ASVAB (repeatedly) that the marines wouldn't even accept him as a spud peeler. Then again, Brandon was, quite literally, your stereotypical jock; decent athleticism at the complete expense of developed mental faculties (because high school football will always lead to a prosperous career in sports). He's also a steroid abusing prick (but, he's always been an asshole). On a side note, how does someone abuse Equipoise to the point of completely changing their facial structure? While it can cause androgenic effects (like most testosterone derived steroids), part of what makes it an attractive anabolic compound is its minimal negative side effects in men if taken in proper doses; you're more likely to grow tits (for people who are extremely sensitive to estrogenic side effects) than you are a crater covered cave man face.

kastonie @ Dec 21st 2008 12:24PM

OMG LONGEST REPLIES EVAR

jackal @ Dec 21st 2008 1:56PM

kastonie,

That's a problem why, exactly? Not every discussion can be broken down into pretty pictures, diagrams, and fluffy bunny hand puppets.

Markez (Anti-Panda Death Murder Squadron) @ Dec 21st 2008 6:45PM

Because except for you few douches that were replying in it, it's lame as hell and most won't ever bother reading it. That's an adorable little pretentious response you came up with though.

jackal @ Dec 21st 2008 9:45PM

Markez,

I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that Joystiq's comment system was restricted to simple, ten word sentences for people who A) have the attention span of fruit flies or B) are unable to use a piece of technology called "the scroll button". With this "scroll button" you can move the page up or down so you can view preferred content sooner. Your inability to use such a readily available tool is not my fault or problem. It also negates any validity to your bitching.

JCD @ Dec 23rd 2008 11:21AM

I don't care if you have an IQ of 300, if you dropped out of high school, you were a flippin' moron. I haven't been on many job interviews where they asked what my IQ was, but you'd better damn believe that every job I've had has wanted to see that I graduated high school and college.

When I went off to college, my dad told me this (keep in mind, he's not a dummy but he's definitely not Mensa material--just an average guy): whatever they ask you to do, you do it. It doesn't matter if its stupid, or a waste of time, or whatever. Just do it. Play by the rules and you'll go places in life. Decide you're too smart for the rules, and you'll be flipping burgers till you're 60.

Its a shame IQ tests can't measure that kind of intelligence . . .

ice~ @ Dec 20th 2008 8:35PM

Games might improve certain brain activities like memory....but they've completely killed my eyesight, so has my iPod touch and Laptop. God it hurts

Desert Eagle @ Dec 21st 2008 12:31AM

That's why I play with blackglasses most of the time, especially at night. Yeah...

ice~ @ Dec 21st 2008 1:51AM

That just might work!

Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew) @ Dec 20th 2008 8:38PM

I believe it.
Games can help hand eye coordination, reflexes, problem solving, quick memory access, strategic planning, spacial reasoning, etc.

The brain is like any other muscle, the more its used the better it will age.

Of course, simply playing games won't make you smart; but they definitely help keep your mind active.

Rollins @ Dec 20th 2008 8:48PM

I can't help but hear a Mandark (from Dexter's Lab) laugh when I look at that picture.

Cluckyx @ Dec 20th 2008 8:52PM

I was imagining the voice from Sinistar.

RUN RUN RUN. BEWARE I HUNGER

Rollins @ Dec 20th 2008 9:20PM

Also...

http://pressthebuttons.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/04/andross.png

Courtney @ Dec 21st 2008 2:55AM

I was reminded of the Bishop of Battle:

http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/bishopofbattle/10.gif

Superstar90 @ Dec 20th 2008 9:14PM

dam, dat meens im soooooo smart lol? amirite?

Foetoid @ Dec 21st 2008 3:38AM

Not with spelling like that!

Wiinterfang @ Dec 20th 2008 9:17PM

video games had make me dumb...maybe I should play more puzzles or something.

rTwelve @ Dec 20th 2008 9:25PM

Does Age of Mythology help too? lol

LordChimp @ Dec 20th 2008 9:35PM

Hell yeah! I am going to defeat alzheimers!

Moptimus Slime @ Dec 20th 2008 9:52PM

I heard hes the final boss in the next Brain Age game.

xtremeholymuffin @ Dec 20th 2008 9:42PM

Honestly I'm curious about what would happen if they played Space Giraffe. When that game finally clicks you feel like you're using parts of your brain that you never used before (kind of like Braid).

Snap Count @ Dec 20th 2008 10:54PM

Why is it when gaming gets thrown into a positive light we are not supposed "to jump to conclusions"

If it was "gaming causes alzheimers" then every news outlet would be picking it up.

Levi @ Dec 20th 2008 11:07PM

Andross was the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture, just couldn't think of his name

As for the study... I don't know much about Rise of Nations, nothing actually, but I'm willing to bet money that a study involving the games I've been playing all day don't have the same effect.

If anything, I feel slower, less socially adept, and just generally.... dumb... after a day of Crash Commando and Resistance.

Crash Commando is sooo good...

slycooper_rocker (lorddshadow the amazing) [anti-panda death squadron force five] @ Dec 21st 2008 12:03AM

what's your psn?

Levi @ Dec 21st 2008 10:43AM

PSNID = Levirules

Just make sure you send me a message telling me who you are, I usually don't add people unless I know em. But we go back a long time, me and you. You an me.

Looking forward to Killzone?

Alien Lord @ Dec 20th 2008 11:30PM

I've been saying this for fucking years, that's why I still try to get my mother to play video games

jackbauer @ Dec 20th 2008 11:41PM

you will never defeat kawaaaaashimaaa!

jackbauer @ Dec 20th 2008 11:41PM

oops, reply to levi

Superstar90 @ Dec 21st 2008 12:28AM

Kawashima sounds like a motorcycle/snowmobile company.

Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew) @ Dec 21st 2008 12:50PM

racist

Desert Eagle @ Dec 21st 2008 12:46AM

Hmmm.... no wonder why I can spell 99.5% of the times a word perfectly and draw so good (though it takes me 7+ hours. I'm a slow writer, gimme a break!), along with memorizing things right most of the time.

...I'm curious. Are there any studies that prove MTV-esque music actually makes you stupid? If there aren't, maybe it's time they do them.

bill51 @ Dec 21st 2008 2:25AM

The level of self love in many of these comments is staggering.

Old people using their minds (considering the game) helps their minds?

BRILLIANT!

Of course it's true; it could be a jigsaw puzzle, crossword, chess, etc. Videogames are no different than any other mind-engaging endeavor/activity.

Also, just because you suck at structured education but can pwn 12 year olds on Xbox Live doesn't mean you're a cut above the rest. ;)