Brain Games: The Key to Preserving Your Mental Acuity in Your Golden Years?

As we age, it’s natural to want to do everything in our power to keep our minds sharp and our memories intact.

You may already be taking steps to support your brain health, like exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and staying socially active.

But what about brain training games? These popular programs promise to improve cognitive function and prevent age-related decline, but do they really work?

Let’s have a look.

The concept of “use it or lose it” is often applied to cognitive health, suggesting that a mentally active lifestyle can help preserve brain function as we age.

Brain training games, which typically involve tasks or drills designed to strengthen specific cognitive skills, have emerged as a popular way to put this idea into practice.

However, the effectiveness of brain training is not without controversy. Some manufacturers have faced criticism and even fines for making unsubstantiated claims about their products. So, what does the science say?

According to Yuko Hara, PhD, director of Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, the general consensus is that, while people may get better at specific tasks through brain training, these improvements don’t necessarily translate to other cognitive domains or the prevention of age-related decline and dementia.

A 2016 review found that brain training interventions can improve performance on specific trained tasks—but there is less evidence that they enhance performance on closely related tasks and little evidence that they improve everyday cognitive performance. A 2018 review reached similar conclusions, deeming the evidence for brain games in preventing or delaying cognitive decline or dementia “insufficient.”

However, not all brain training programs are created equal. Some, like those featured in the ACTIVE trial, have shown evidence of effectiveness in clinical trials. The key is to look for programs that are backed by robust evidence.

For example, the product BrainHQ,is a web-based brain game suite that aims to improve overall brain processing speed, attention, working memory, and executive function. The IMPACT study, which randomized 487 adults aged 65 and older to either BrainHQ or a general cognitive stimulation program, found that those who underwent brain training showed significantly greater improvement in memory and attention compared to the control group.

Similarly, the ACTIVE study, which tested the effects of different cognitive training programs on cognitive function and time to dementia, found that participants who completed speed-of-processing training (now part of BrainHQ) had a 29 percent lower risk of dementia after 10 years compared to those who received no training.

While these results are promising, it’s important to note that formal brain training programs aren’t the only way to support cognitive health.

Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, like learning a new skill, language, or musical instrument, can also help increase cognitive reserve and delay the onset of decline.

The key, according to researchers, is to challenge your brain with new experiences.

So, while the jury may still be out on the effectiveness of brain training games as a whole, there is evidence to suggest that certain programs, when used in conjunction with other mentally stimulating activities, can support cognitive health as we age.

As research continues to evolve, it’s important to approach brain training with a critical eye and to look for programs that are backed by solid scientific evidence.

In the meantime, don’t underestimate the power of learning new skills, staying socially engaged, and challenging your brain in novel ways to help keep your mind sharp in your golden years.

To a lifetime of mental acuity,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

P.S. Skip seconds for a sharper brain?

Sources:

Hara, Y., Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation

Montero-Odasso, M., Gait and Brain Lab, Parkwood Institute

Mahncke, H., Posit Science/BrainHQ

IMPACT study, ACTIVE study, 2016 and 2018 reviews