Online Games Offer a Way to Train the Brain

In order to have a full and satisfying life, it is necessary to have an active brain. Playing certain online games can keep the brain sharp and focused.

It has been suggested that playing brain games can help to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, those who treat the illness disagree. While being interviewed for a segment on CBS TV’s Sunday Morning, Beth Kallmyer, a senior director at the Alzheimer's Association, stated that there is no proof that doing certain things such as crossword puzzles or Sudoku can prevent the onset of the disease. However, according to Dr. Ronald Peterson on the Mayo Clinic website, physical exercise can prevent memory loss and improve brain function. It also can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s in later life.

While it may not prevent Alzheimer’s, having an active mind will provide a longer and more satisfying life for most people. It will help them to stay more alert, it will allow them to work longer, and it will allow them to hold onto their independence longer.

Training the brain every day will help to keep the mind sharp. There are several ways of doing this: doing the daily crossword or Sudoku game in the newspaper; reading the newspaper critically or reading challenging books; and having intelligent conversations with a peer.

One way to train the brain is to play games specifically designed for that purpose. The Nintendo DS game Brain Age offers many such games. Another way is to sign up to a games website that challenges the participant by keeping track of their daily progress. Two such websites dedicated to training the brain are Lumosity, and Mind360.

Lumosity offers a free one-week trial, after that it costs $14.95 per month. The site states that its mission is “to create innovative neuroscience-based tools that empower people to lead better lives through better brain health and performance.” The site is owned by Lumos Labs; in addition to a management team, Lumosity has a scientific advisory board made up of leading neuroscientists.

The site offers a trainer which chooses a variety of games that are designed to improve various brain functions. Games featured include Familiar Faces and Attention Game.; Familiar Faces helps to remember names and faces quickly, Attention Game is designed to help improve brain focus.

Lumosity also offers courses such as Basic Training and Memory Boost; Basic Training is similar to the Trainer in that it provides a good balance of games to help improve basic brain functions, Memory Boost is designed to sharpen your memory. There is also a section called Assessment where tests can be taken to pinpoint areas that need the most work.

Mind360 offers a trial account which allows the visitor to play brain teasers. A full account costs $12.99 per month. Mind360 is “committed to enhancing and maintaining people’s mental fitness.” The games are developed by staff psychologists and a scientific advisory board which features a behavioural economist and a neuropsychologist.

The site offers a variety of brain training games with different games offered for different categories; professionals, baby boomers, kids and parents. Mind360 has a training program that chooses specific games for the improvement of specific functions such as attention training. The training program also offers assessments tests so the user can figure out what brain functions need the most improvement.

Games at Mind360 are divided by Brain Trainers and Brain Teasers; Brain Trainers include games specifically designed to improve such functions as memory and attention; Brain Teasers are just simple logic games. The site also lets players choose challenges to complete and they can create their own challenges.