Think brain games make you smarter? Think again, researchers say
Be skeptical of ads declaring you can rev up your brain’s performance by challenging it with products from the growing brain-training industry. Science does not support many of the claims. That’s according to a new study published in the science journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience from a team of Florida State University researchers. Neil Charness, professor of psychology and a leading authority on aging and cognition, teamed up with Wally Boot, associate professor of psychology, and graduate student Dustin Souders to test the theory that brain games help preserve cognitive function. “Our findings and previous studies confirm there’s very little evidence these types of games can improve your life in a meaningful way,” said Boot, an expert on age-related cognitive decline. Charness, who’s also the director of FSU’s Institute for Successful Longevity, said an increasing number of people believe brain training helps protect them against memory loss or cognitive disorders. “Brain challenges like crossword games are...