7.11.09

Surfing in cyberspace can improve brain ability

Surfing in cyberspace can improve brain abilitySurfing in cyberspace (the internet) can improve brain function and minimize the possibility of memory losses. This is at least proved after a research was conducted, 24 adults aged 50 years and over were involved. This study was performed by the psychiatrist and researcher neural research team of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), it shows that the use of the Internet in old people can improve their cognitive function.

National Geographic News site and the Daily Telegraph in one of their October publications have quoted the results of the study said that the UCLA team compared 24 adults aged 55-78 years who had never opened the internet with those who had never missed a day surfing in cyberspace. Result shows there is an increased activity of the brain part that responsible for handling the memory and make decisions. "Hence, opening sites on the internet can be an easy way to train the brain," said senior researcher Teena D Moody.

This research volunteers were asked to open the Internet at home for four hours each day. Not just randomly open any site, but specifically using search engines and answering questions on various topics in various sites. One week later the volunteers were examined and the results showed there was an increased brain activity in areas related to the ability to use language, visual, memory, and reading.

So far the effect of technology on brain function is one hot debate subject without any consensus. Director of the Royal Institution Susan Greenfield said that the social networking sites on the Internet are the main causes of the lack of concentration in children nowadays. She also blamed the text message as the cause of increase in attention deficit disorders in children these days.

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