Adults who played a lot during childhood have a better working memory, the one that allows us to carry out tasks.
Should we play video games or not? Some research accuses them of harming the brain, the World Health Organization warns of the risks of addiction, yet a new study shows that they can help us memorize better. In Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, the researchers explain that adults who played during their childhood perform better on tasks related to working memory, even if they no longer play today. This type of memorization works for the short term, and helps us use information to do things. For example, it allows you to remember an order or have a conversation.
Practice video games to compensate
“People who were great gamers before their teenage years, even if they don’t play anymore, performed better on working memory tasks, which involve mentally storing and manipulating information., adds Marc Palaus, lead author of the study. This was carried out thanks to 27 participants, aged between 18 and 40. For a month, the researchers analyzed their cognitive abilities.
A first test was carried out at the start of the study, then a second after providing the participants with training in the Nintendo video game, Super Mario 64, and a final one after 15 days. Non-gamers were slower than others on cognitive tests. Conversely, those who played during their childhood had better results, especially in the processing of 3D objects. After the training period, levels were broadly similar in both groups. “Video games are great for boosting our cognitive abilities, almost without realizing it”, adds Marc Palaus. When playing, the game generally becomes more and more difficult and this requires the constant mobilization of working memory resources. This phenomenon improves cognitive performance.
Failure of transcranial magnetic stimulation
In parallel, the participants followed 10 sessions of transcranial magnetic stimulation. “This is based on the use of magnetic waves which, when applied to the surface of the skull, produce electrical currents in the neurons and modify their activity”, explains Marc Palaus. The purpose of using this technique was to test whether playing video games combined with this type of stimulation improved cognitive performance. The researchers hoped to produce a lasting effect, at least beyond ten minutes, but this did not happen.
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