Game-based training boosts memory and brain structure in older adults.
New studies show game-based training improves memory and brain structure in older adults with mild dementia.
Why it matters
- Dementia affects nearly 1 in 10 people over 70 in Europe, with projections to triple by 2050.
- Current drugs for dementia are limited and not widely available.
- Game-based training offers a low-risk alternative or complement to medications.
By the numbers
- 40 participants, average age 73.
- Training: 25 minutes, 5x/week for 12 weeks.
- Hippocampus and thalamus volume increased.
The big picture
- Exergames show promise for early-stage dementia intervention.
- Structural brain changes observed in just 12 weeks.
- Potential for longer studies to assess impact on dementia progression.
What they're saying
- Users curious about specific games used in the study.
- General support for the idea of cognitive stimulation for brain health.
Caveats
- Small sample size (40 participants).
- Short training duration (12 weeks).
- More research needed to confirm long-term effects.
What’s next
- Plans for longer studies to assess impact on dementia progression.