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Web Surfing Can Help Slow Dementia

Brain scans show Google is more stimulating than books

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2009 1:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – It’s time to teach Grandma to Google. Surfing the Internet can slow or even reverse the mental decay that leads to dementia, according to a new study. UCLA researchers scanned the brains of 24 men and women aged 55 to 78 and discovered that surfing the web was more stimulating than reading, with the effects lasting long after they’d logged off.

“For older people with minimal experience, performing Internet searches for even a relatively short period of time can change brain activity patterns and enhance function,” the study’s author told the Times of London. "Our most striking finding was that Internet searching appears to engage a greater extent of neural circuitry that is not activated during reading.”

An old man types slowly.
An old man types slowly.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
freethemall
Oct 20, 2009 3:32 AM CDT
There's a lot of porn, but none of very good quality, in my opinion.
NewsTracker
Oct 19, 2009 7:38 AM CDT
I'm guessing half of the slowing of dementia is learning a new skill and using it. It might not be what they search for, but rather, doing the searching.
freethemall
Oct 19, 2009 7:25 AM CDT
Right back at you.

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