Internet savvy boomers, seniors get brain boost while Web surfing

William Atkins
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 02:38

Science - Health

The lead researcher in the study, Gary Small (who is a professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the director of the UCLA Memory and Aging Research Center), stated, “The study results are encouraging, that emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults."

He adds, "Our most striking finding was that Internet searching appears to engage a greater extent of neural circuitry that is not activated during reading -- but only in those with prior Internet experience.” [WebMD: “Surfing the Web Stimulates Older Brains”]

Dr. Small states that he and his colleagues do not know why the Internet savvy members have more brain activity while Web surfing than the non-Internet experienced group.

However, he conjectures that, “The way I theorized is that when we are confronted with new mental challenges, we don't know how to deal with it. We don't engage neural circuits. Once we figure out a strategy, we engage those circuits." [CNN: “Study: Google does a brain good“]

Small added, "The bottom line is, when older people read a simulated book page, we see areas of the brain activated that you'd expect, the visual cortex, and areas that control language and reading."

And, "When they search on the Internet, they use the same areas, but there was much greater activation particularly in the front part, which controls decision-making and complex reasoning. But it was only for the people who had previous experience with the Internet." [CNN]

The conclusions of the study will be published in a future issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.