Can playing certain video games affect
brain
function? Research studies suggest that there
is a link between playing certain video games
and improved decision making abilities and
cognitive flexibility. There is an observable
difference between the brain structure of
individuals who play video games frequently
and those who don't.
Video gaming
actually increases brain volume in areas
responsible for fine motor skill control, the
formation of memories, and for strategic
planning. Video gaming could potentially play
a therapeutic role in the treatment of a variety
of brain disorders and conditions resulting
from brain injury.
Video Games Increase Brain Volume
A study from the Max Planck Institute for
Human Development and Charité University
Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus has
revealed that playing real-time strategy
games, such as Super Mario 64, can increase
the brain's gray matter. Gray matter is the
layer of the brain that is also known as the
cerebral cortex
. The cerebral cortex covers the outer portion
of the
cerebrum
and
cerebellum
. Increases of gray matter were found to occur
in the right
hippocampus
, right prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum of
those who played strategy type games. The
hippocampus is responsible for forming,
organizing, and storing memories. It also
connects emotions and senses, such as smell
and sound, to memories. The prefrontal cortex
is located in the brain's
frontal lobe
and is involved in functions including
decision-making, problem solving, planning,
voluntary
muscle
movement, and impulse control. The
cerebellum contains hundreds of millions of
neurons
for processing data. It helps to control fine
movement coordination, muscle tone, balance,
and equilibrium. These increases in gray
matter improve cognitive function in specific
brain regions.
Action Games Improve Visual Attention
Studies also indicate that playing certain
video games can improve visual attention. A
person's level of visual attention relies on the
brain's ability to process relevant visual
information and suppress irrelevant
information. In studies, video gamers
consistently outperform their non-gamer
counterparts when performing visual attention
related tasks. It is important to note that the
type of video game played is a significant
factor regarding visual attention enhancement.
Games such as
Halo
, which require rapid responses and divided
attention to visual information, increase visual
attention, while other types of games do not.
When training non-video gamers with action
video games, these individuals showed
improvement in visual attention. It is believe
that action games could have applications in
military training and therapeutic treatments
for certain visual impairments.
Video Games Reverse Negative Effects of
Aging
Playing video games is not just for kids and
young adults. Video games have been found
to improve cognitive function in older adults.
These cognitive improvements in memory and
attention were not only beneficial, but lasting
as well. After training with a 3-D video game
specifically designed to improve cognitive
performance, the 60 to 85-year-old individuals
in the study performed better than 20 to 30-
year-old individuals playing the game for the
first time. Studies such as this one indicate
that playing video games can reverse some of
the cognitive decline associated with
increased age.
Video Games and Aggression
While some studies highlight the positive
benefits of playing video games, others point
to some of its potential negative aspects. A
study published in a special issue of the
journal
Review of General Psychology
indicates that playing violent video games
makes some adolescents more aggressive.
Depending on certain
personality traits
, playing violent games can elicit aggression
in some teens. Teenagers who are easily
upset, depressed, have little concern for
others, break rules and act without thinking
are more influenced by violent games than
those with other personality traits. Personality
expression is a function of the
frontal lobe
of the brain. According to Christopher J.
Ferguson, a guest editor of the issue, video
games "are harmless for the vast majority of
kids but are harmful to a small minority with
pre-existing personality or mental health
problems." Teenagers who are highly neurotic,
less agreeable, and less conscientious have a
greater propensity to be negatively affected by
violent video games.
Other studies suggest that for most gamers,
aggression is not related to violent video
content but to feelings of failure and
frustration. A study in the
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
demonstrated that failure to master a game
led to displays of aggression in players
regardless of video content. The researchers
pointed out that games such as Tetris or
Candy Crush can elicit as much aggression as
violent games like World of Warcraft or Grand
Theft Auto.


http://biology.about.com/od/Brain/ss/video-games-affect-brain-function.htm?utm_source=cn_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_term=About%20Today%20Channel%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=todaysl&utm_content=20140919

OP, you are on point. Games affect peeps especially the white folks who are over addicted to games.

Haba even the blacks who loves playin game can be affected...

Nothing we no go here for this world oo
#porn de affect brain.we no complain
#cellphone de affect brain e de even cause cancer we no talk
#selfie na madness ww no talk
#too much water de kill we no complain e still no do dem
now na game abi??

Dem no born Dem well

snowprince07: Nothing we no go here for this world oo
#porn de affect brain.we no complain
#cellphone de affect brain e de even cause cancer we no talk
#selfie na madness ww no talk
#too much water de kill we no complain e still no do dem
now na game abi??

Dem no born Dem well

You probably didn't read what was written. what was listed were positive effects

lordZOUGA:
You probably didn't read what was written. what was listed were positive effects

I know so what man must die**one thing must kill a man**

snowprince07: Nothing we no go here for this world oo
#porn de affect brain.we no complain
#cellphone de affect brain e de even cause cancer we no talk
#selfie na madness ww no talk
#too much water de kill we no complain e still no do dem
now na game abi??

Dem no born Dem well

You need to start playing video games.

Osyxcel:

You need to start playing video games.

Seriously...it may help him out

Exjoker: Haba even the blacks who loves playin game can be affected...

My bad, though it was the negative aspect. God of war requires mental work too.

encryptjay:
My bad, though it was the negative aspect. God of war requires mental work too.

Lol...Most at times i dont stress myself readin posts...I will just reply the post without knowin what it mean

Exjoker: Lol...Most at times i dont stress myself readin posts...I will just reply the post without knowin what it mean

These frontpage lads influencing me.