Computerized Brain Training Programs Improve Cognitive...

Do the brain games give the benefit they are said to provide? (Word Count: 1528) Yagna Patel 1001588524 BIO152, 9/27/2014 Prof. F. Rawle TA: Christy Simbeya Rough Essay: I. Introduction: There is a widely held belief that commercially available computerized brain-training programs improve cognitive function. 2 Although society has accepted this correlation of â€Å"brain games† and increased cognitive ability, it has yet to be proven.1 Regardless of this, there has been a recent spawn of enterprises dedicated to creating these games. Of these enterprises, the most well-known companies are Lumosity and Brain Age.1 These companies even argue that brain training is as good as physical training.4 Websites like†¦show more content†¦But before that one must ask whether these games increase brain function to a beneficial point by examining the effects on one’s brain, one must also examine the changes in their performance periodically and lastly the practicality of the â€Å"brain games† (how easy and simple are they?) II. Evidence for the â€Å"yes† side: Brain can be easily changed. Neuroplasticity describes the proven characteristic of the brain’s moldable nature.8 As an individual learns, the formation of neurons and glial cells within the brain are stimulated.8,9 Therefore, the more an individual uses â€Å"brain games†, the more likely it is that these neurons and glial cells will form in underused areas.9 Studies show that the formation of these synapses is strengthened as an individual consistently practices a task.8 8That’s why we say â€Å"practice makes it perfect† and good example for it would be someone studying for his/her calculus test on the last day, would obviously not do as well as a person who has been doing all his/her homework from the very first day. This results in improvement in their daily task. Multiple studies have shown that if â€Å"brain games† are used daily one can improve their performance in few tasks.