Internet Making Cognitive Function The Developing Brain

A study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), found that new Internet users between the ages of 55 to 78 years old, have high scores when tested with a series of complex tests and related decision-making after 7 days online on the Internet. Team researchers considered that surfing the web seem to be able to stimulate nerve activity and increase cognitive function in the initiation using the Internet.

"These results show that searching online can be a form of special exercises for the brain to improve cognitive abilities in old age or an adult. By using the Internet it can boost brain function when the brain is less able to work up, especially in old age. However, users who started using the Internet, then the impact to cognitive function and change the way the brain to translate the new information. "Said Teena D. Moody, a senior researcher at UCLA.

At the beginning of the program, volunteers will be scanned with MRI. Then they will make searching online at home using the Internet for 1 hour per day for 7 days in a period of 2 weeks. After two weeks, MRI scans will record changes in their brain circuitry for a second time. The results showed that volunteers have little Internet experience has increased the area of the brain that control memory and decision making.

"We found that old age with minimal experience, just by using the Internet in a short period can alter patterns of brain activity and increase in function." Added Gary Small, professor at UCLA. UCLA has been tested from the age of 24 adults, half the participants were in their everyday Internet users, and the other half have only very little online experience on the Internet.