There have been several studies over the years which have used an MRI to show changes that occur in a gamer’s brain after a bit of play time.
Here’s another one.
Researchers at the Mind Research Network found that playing Tetris for three months had increased efficiency and beefed up the amount of gray matter in the brains of a group of adolescent girls. The results, which will be published in BMC Research Notes later this week, showed that focusing on a “challenging visuospatial task” such as a video game could not just increase brain activity but alter the structure of the brain as well by thickening the cortexes.
So, what benefit does a fatter, more efficient brain offer? According to one of the study’s authors, Dr. Richard Haier, it may be a way to help combat the mental decline that occurs with age.
Not bad for an activity many consider to be a waste of time.
Via: Wired
-Reporting from San Diego, GamePolitics Senior Correspondent Andrew Eisen...
Comments
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
Far be it for me to decry Tetris, but from the "waste of time" viewpoint, this seems like just taking time from youth and adding it to old age. Of course, we "waste" a lot of time in our youth anyway. . .
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
If you are worried about Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, start using tobacco.
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
As much as I credit Tetris for giving me some much-needed perspective when I'm trying to pack my car for a road trip, don't we normally start hollering about how misguided and useless these gaming-related MRI studies are whenever they crop up? I can't really put my finger on why we're all being so agreeable about this one! Let me play some Tetris and see if it makes my brain expand so I can figure it out.
~la, la la la, la la la, la la la, la la la, la la, the tet-ris song~
Okay, I think I've got it: reading studies about MRI scans where certain parts of the brain light up cause those same parts to activate in the reader's brain. So when we read about the hypothalamus going off after a subject plays a violent first-person shooter, it also sets us off, resulting in aggressive posts and harsh dismissals of the science. But when we read that Tetris is making us more efficient thinkers, our brains also gain further efficiency, giving us the extra mental oomph we need to make more agreeable, thoughtful posts.
I know it sounds outlandish, but it's the best explanation I can come up with. I discarded the notion that there could possibly be any selection bias based on the positive or negative findings of the studies, since as we know, everyone who reads GP is fully capable of considering the merits of each story in a fair and balanced fashion without leaping to conclusions based on personal feelings. Right, guys? ;D
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The Mammon Philosophy
Fangamer
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
This wasn't an MRI test though. Those are laughed at as it's a one time occurrence and the brain quickly reaches standard levels of operation shortly thereafter. From the sound of the article, though, this was a long term test that ended up calculating the increase in brain grey matter, something that doesn't quickly go away.
In other words, this shows that long term tetris playing actually does increase the matter of your brain, rather than a quick, temporary increase in chemical levels or brain activity.
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
The song is "Korobeiniki"- it's a folk song based off a russian poem.
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
Mhm, I usually prefer the B tune, but the A tune is easier to transcribe as la-la-las.
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The Mammon Philosophy
Fangamer
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
Makes sense, it's like playing with building blocks for adults. I played this a lot as a kid so I hope that did help some of my brain development. Does anyone know if there's a study out there for adults?
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Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
I wonder if this benifet can come from other puzzle games like Dr. Mario or Bejeweled?
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
So.....if I naw on the blocks dose that count?
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Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
And now I have the song stuck in my head....
Not all too surprised by this study. It's real time problem solving mixed with spatial awareness, testing adaptation and encouraging proper planning (taking out 4 rows at once is a big, yet short lived, ego boost). This is what logic puzzles try to aim for...and it's been a tradition for gamers for quite some time.
And now I'm looking for a place where I can play it. Thanks GP, there goes my night.
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
I'm not that surprised by this. Tetris clearly requires you to think quick on your feet and apply situation analysis. I am a little surprised (in a pleasant way) about the whole "combat mental decline" thing. But hey, way to go Tetris.
Re: Study: Playing Tetris Changes Your Brain For the Better
I never thought of this game as a waste of time. I still think it's one of the greatest games ever.
I don't know how many batteries my Game Boy went through because of this game.