If granny went up against her grandson in a video game, don’t necessarily bet against age.
cognition
Brain Aging May Depend on Childhood Intelligence
Older people who stay sharp tend to have a thicker cortex, which is the outermost region of the brain that includes the areas responsible for judgment and complex thought. But while preserving the cortex is important for …
A Sleeping Pill Without The Sleepy Head?
Current sleep remedies risk addiction and memory problems, but a new class of medications may avoid these issues.
Brain Food: Berries Can Slow Cognitive Decline
Its spring, which means it’s the season for fresh, juicy berries. And that’s good news for your brain.
Study: Brain Injuries in Childhood Have Lasting Effects on Learning
A new study finds that cognitive deficits from a bad blow to the head may last longer than previously thought.
Virtual Exercise Games Help Elderly Remain Mentally Sharp
Virtual games aren’t just for kids any more. Navigating virtual worlds helps grandma and grandpa stay physically and cognitively healthy.
Study: Marijuana Not Linked With Long Term Cognitive Impairment
The idea that “marijuana makes you dumb” has long been embodied in the stereotype of the slow, stupid stoner, seen in numerous Hollywood movies and TV comedies and going unquestioned by much of American culture. But a new …
Babies: They’re Smarter Than You Think
Every parent thinks they’re baby is exceptionally smart — and cute, too. But while it can’t be true that every infant is above average, Lake Wobegon-style, it turns out that babies become able to reason surprisingly well at a …
Wait, ESP Is Real?
The idea that some people can see the future is one of those peculiar notions that is at once prehistoric and contemporary. You can find references to seers at least as far back as writing from ancient Greece, and you can also …
ADHD: A Global Epidemic or Just a Bunch of Fidgety Kids?
A new study finds that the rise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is not a uniquely American phenomenon.
Not coping with stress may increase teeth-grinding
People who are stressed are more likely to grind their teeth in their sleep—clenching, and working their jaws throughout the night, slowly wearing teeth smooth or even chipping them, and awakening with headaches and muscle tension. Yet, according to new research published last week in the journal, it’s not solely feeling stressed, but
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The cognitive benefits of video games
Video games are a controversial topic these days. Do popular games cater enough to a female audience? Can interactive games introduce a new forum for sexual predators? Is there such a thing as video game addiction? Yet, for all of the negative perceptions and criticisms of video games, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting their
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Internet virgins search web, boost brain power
If you have someone in your life who stubbornly refuses to get in line by going online, here’s a carrot. Yesterday, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, presented their study showing that when adults (ages 55 to 78) go online their brains get bigger. Well, maybe not physically bigger, but they did reclaim …