Watchdog group: Brain Age doesn't help
by JC Fletcher 
{ Feb 26th 2009 at 2:10PM } 
Another organization is blowing an imaginary whistle on Brain Age and other similar products designed to sharpen minds. Consumer group Which assembled a panel of three neuroscientists to test the ideas that brain training games improve memory and help prevent dementia. The panel found "weak" or no evidence to support the claims."There is no evidence that using this product will have any functional impact on your life whatsoever," Dr. Chris Bird, one of the scientists involved with the study, said. The panel concluded that "surfing the internet or chatting to friends" would have the same prefrontal cortex blood flow effect as doing DS-based math. Basically, it means that, in terms of brain activity, Brain Age seems to work about as well as any other mentally-stimulating pastime.
"If people enjoy using these games, then they should continue to do so -- that's a no-brainer," said Which's Martyn Hocking (perhaps with pun intended -- emphasis ours). "But if people are under the illusion that these devices are scientifically proven to keep their minds in shape, they need to think again" (Hocking is just full of puns, isn't he?).
Nintendo responded, saying that it has never claimed scientific proof of Brain Age's effectiveness: "What we claim is the Brain Training series of games, like playing sudoku, are enjoyable and fun. These exercises can also help keep the brain sharp." It also helps your organization make the news!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cinders @ Feb 26th 2009 2:30PM
I sold more DS's to peope looking to give it to their parents last year than I remember selling to typical gamers.
rohan @ Feb 26th 2009 2:35PM
didn't Wii Fit come under fire because it does not actually make u fit? People are started to bring Nintendo down since they are a household name now
Joystick Hero @ Feb 26th 2009 3:02PM
Nintendo is a household name NOW? For the last two generations I still knew people who referred to ANY video game as a "Nintendo game", no matter what platform it was actually on.
They've always been a household name, it's just now that they've got a bajillion units out there.
rohan @ Feb 26th 2009 5:02PM
a household name, that everyone and there dog have / want a Wii
Marty @ Feb 26th 2009 2:37PM
What, did their report get lost in the mail a few years back, only to arrive now? I thought this was old news.
mr mobius @ Feb 26th 2009 2:43PM
I assumed this was a given already. Yes, it keeps your mind active, but no, it is not any better than any similar means. The only difference is, this is in a form that adults can do when they do not want to be social or search for information.
cjshrader @ Feb 26th 2009 2:44PM
I'm shocked, SHOCKED by these accusations.
L3thal Interjection @ Feb 26th 2009 2:45PM
I use math at work and have improved my speed and accuracy playing Big Brain Academy. The difference is undeniable. If these guys claim "There is no evidence that using this product will have any functional impact on your life whatsoever" their study was inadequate. Practicing math makes you better at math. How can you contradict that?
quickshade @ Feb 26th 2009 3:36PM
well duh, I use Linux all the time so I boot up my laptop at work all the time and read up on up and coming changes to linux and how to perform some everyday tasks for servers and desktops, Same thing for windows. I also test new virus removal tools and hardware test software too. Guess what, I've become better at knowing which tool to use for what type of problem.
I'm sure the Joystiq writers can say the same thing from reading other blogs, having video game knowledge and even better READING. The point is, playing brain age isn't going to make you go from some average (or failing) student to top of the class honors kid. Sorry but that takes effort.
L3thal Interjection @ Feb 26th 2009 3:49PM
I don't argue that playing Brain Age could possibly transform an average student into an excellent one. I don't think I even implied that. My argument is simply that you can't say these games have "no impact whatsoever".
If practicing math makes you better at it then playing a game that has you practicing math will make a measurable impact on your daily life, that is, IF math is indeed part of your daily life.
Sir Buzz Killington( The Artist formerly known as Jakka) @ Feb 26th 2009 5:01PM
That's not really the point. The question was whether Brain Age has any particular impact on your brain. Any game can stimulate your brain activity but if a product is specifically advertised as something that makes your brain more fit yet provides no better results than playing Tetris/Prof. Layton let alone reading a book, we got a small inconsistency here.
jumpshot @ Feb 26th 2009 2:56PM
I can't process this. Let me boot up my DS first and I'll read it again.
required @ Feb 26th 2009 2:57PM
What? You mean like all those DS freakers aren't like super smart now? Get out!
butaneko @ Feb 26th 2009 3:01PM
Oh please. Next they are gonna tell me that the copper pyramid I sleep under and the bowl of fish eyes I eat every day don't help my intelligence.
MuToiD_MaN @ Feb 26th 2009 3:45PM
^ winrar
Gus @ Feb 26th 2009 3:06PM
Marten Hocking is a lady?
BlaqueBeird @ Feb 26th 2009 3:33PM
Saying that doing anything that keeps your brain active will make you smarter is like saying any caliber bullet will hurt you. We all know that already. It doesn't mean a .38 isn't any good, it's just an option.
Someone shoud give them an Ignobel prize for this.
WRE @ Feb 26th 2009 3:42PM
This is nothing more than a "Which" hunt!
(Sorry.)
phenylketonurics @ Feb 26th 2009 4:17PM
Man alive, someone's got cryabetes. It is well-known to everyone with common sense that Brain Age/Brain Academy/Brain Learning to Make You Smart games won't make you the smart bastard you want to be. Honing the skills you already have *for fun* is the whole idea with these things.
Christ, video games are serious business if they dare claim to help with real life!
Dante G @ Feb 26th 2009 4:29PM
"to test the ideas that brain training games improve memory and help prevent dementia."
That's kinda specific. So it doesn't help prevent dementia... We're doooooomed!!
t_m @ Feb 27th 2009 1:52AM
Thats not what Dr kawashima said.... and he sound more reliable to me. He's an expert!
I don't have a link, but I'm sure i read about a study using Brain Training in schools where it improved kids maths skills... It definitely sharpened up my mental arithmatic.
If doing anything mentally stimulating is good, and Brain Training is mentally stimulating... i'm going for it!
lasersanchez @ Feb 27th 2009 2:37PM
Didn't the good doctor head explain that to the player when they first insert the game into the DS, or was that not clear enough so we needed another study to prove what everyone was already told in the first place?