VIDEO GAMES ENHANCE CEREBRAL CORTEX AND BRAIN FUNCTION

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Jeffrey Newman

Several new studies have concluded that playing video-games can enhance cognitive capabilities and performance including the development of the “working memory”; reasonaing capabilities; increasing attention span and the latest studies have shown that video game playing actually thickens parts of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain responsible for higher level functions. One researcher, Neuroscientist Richard Haier from The University of California Irvine, examined the brains of Tetris players via the Functional MRI. Measurable alterations in the thickness of the cerebral cortet were found and recorded. Now, he is examining the players via the use of magnetoencephalopathy, which measures the magnetic fields of brain produced electricity and can detect the efficiency of functioning of different parts of the brain. Eric Klopfer, the director of MIT’s Education Arcade believes that video games challenge players to the edge of their ability and that this “adaptive change” is a significant engine for learning in the human brain. Some games are being developed for the purpose of cognitive enhancement and this issue is of interest to the military. In addition, the meaning of the new studies has significant potential for the future in terms of educational technique, especially at younger ages; the retraining of the brain to develop new skills and knowledge pools for individuals who are entering a new career and also for the development of sharper management skills in large companies. Some scientists theorize that if the brain/video game interface can be understood well enough, we may eventually spawn scientists and doctors and train them for their chosen professions by increasing their cognitive skills in those parts of the brain most required for the issues they face. For example–specialty games for surgeons and others for pathologists and biochemists. Other studies are being conducted on the development of particular games to enhance athletic performance.