Brain Games That Actually Work: How Speed Training May Delay Dementia
We are constantly bombarded with advertisements for “brain training” games promising to keep our minds sharp and stave off cognitive decline. But do they actually work? For years, the scientific community has been skeptical. However, a landmark 20-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed a fascinating breakthrough: one very specific type of computer-based brain training may significantly delay the onset of dementia.
The Power of Speed Training
The study, known as the ACTIVE (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly) study, followed older adults over two decades. It assessed three different kinds of cognitive exercises: memory training, reasoning training, and visual speed of processing training.
Surprisingly, only the speed of processing training resulted in a 25% lower rate of dementia diagnosis years later.
What makes this training so unique? Unlike memory puzzles or logic games that require slow, deliberate thinking, speed training targets your brain’s “operating speed.” It challenges you to rapidly identify objects in the center of your vision while simultaneously noticing objects appearing in your peripheral vision, for increasingly shorter durations.
Understanding Your “Useful Field of View”
To understand why this works, it helps to know about a concept called the Useful Field of View (UFOV).
Imagine you are driving a car. Your UFOV isn’t just about how wide your eyes can see; it is about the visual area where your brain can effectively extract information in a single, quick glance without moving your head. As we age, our brain’s processing speed naturally slows down, causing this “useful” area to shrink. This is why older adults might miss a pedestrian stepping off a curb even if their eye exam shows perfect vision.
Speed training acts like a workout for your brain’s processor. By constantly pushing you to identify central and peripheral targets faster, it expands your UFOV and trains your brain to filter out distractions more efficiently. Also, the difficulty of the tasks constantly adapts to the user’s performance, pushing the limits just enough to stimulate growth.
Engaging the Unconscious Mind
Researchers suspect that the secret behind speed training lies in its ability to engage automatic, unconscious thought. While memory and reasoning tasks require conscious effort, speed training hones reflexes and subconscious processing.
This improvement in fundamental brain efficiency might also explain why it delays dementia. A faster, more efficient brain may be better equipped to handle the cognitive changes associated with aging. Furthermore, scientists believe better processing speed might create a “synergistic effect” when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices, like a good diet and regular physical exercise.
Glossary
- Dementia: A general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common cause.
- ACTIVE Study: A major, multi-site study (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly) funded by the NIH to examine the long-term effects of cognitive training in older adults.
- Speed of Processing: How quickly and accurately your brain can take in information, understand it, and react to it. It’s essentially your brain’s processing power.
- Useful Field of View (UFOV): The visual area from which you can extract information in a single glance without moving your eyes or head.
Conclusion
The idea that engaging in simple, computerized brain exercises for just a few weeks can keep older adults mentally healthy for years longer is incredibly promising. It highlights the potential for practical, affordable tools to help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life. While we still have much to learn about exactly how this mechanism protects the brain against dementia, speed training offers a glimpse into the future of proactive cognitive health.
Based on a press release from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and additional details regarding the ACTIVE study.