Canadian research teams prove that regularly playing certain types of video games can reduce or promote gray matter growth in the hippocampus
Orange County, CA - August 21st 2017 - Gray matter in the hippocampus is responsible for a majority of the central nervous system. This matter includes regions of the brain responsible for muscle control and sensory perception such as hearing, seeing, memory, emotions, self-control, speech, and decision making. Research teams from The University of Montreal and McGill University in Canada have proven that regularly playing video games can reduce or promote gray matter growth in the hippocampus depending on the type of gameplay.
In the initial study 33 participants were used and divided into two groups. The two smaller groups consisted of regular action video game players and a control group for later comparisons. In inquiring about the navigation strategies implemented by participants while playing the games, it was common for spatial learners to use target objects and landmarks, while response learners relied on memory and pattern recognition. Using an MRI machine, researchers found that players who were more likely to use response strategies, memories and patterns, showed significantly less gray matter in the hippocampus.
To back up these original findings two additional studies were conducted, this time using 64 participants subjected to 90 hours of training on a multitude of video games. Another MRI scan revealed those who received training on the other style of game, the spatial navigation learners who focused on picking target object as landmarks, had increased gray matter over time.
"These results show that video games can be beneficial or detrimental to the hippocampal system depending on the navigation strategy that a person employs and the genre of the game," wrote Gregory West, PhD, the leader of the study. Their study was published online in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
Kirk Erickson, PhD, is the lead author on a similar study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. He believes that the skills learned from these games not only enhances gray matter, but also teaches helpful life skills. "Video games are being marketed and used in a lot of different contexts to enhance cognitive function," said Erickson. "The basic idea is that you play the video game, you get better at the video game, and it will transfer to better managing your checkbook, driving, or other everyday activities."
The Canadian team wants to continue research in this area, especially studies implementing games to improve visual short-term memory and attention. This form of therapy is very natural and has the potential to help people with learning or behavioral problems in a comfortable and safe environment of their choosing.
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Canadian research teams prove that regularly playing certain types of video games can reduce or promote gray matter growth in the hippocampus Orange County, CA – August 21st 2017 – Gray matter in the hippocampus is responsible for a majority of the central nervous system. This matter includes regions of the brain responsible for muscle control […]