Brain Training Shown to Boost Key Brain Chemicals
A recent study suggests that cognitive training can enhance the levels of a crucial neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a role in decision-making.
Scientists have provided strong evidence that engaging in mental exercises can bring about biological changes in the human brain. This study indicates that intensive cognitive training might reverse processes typically related to aging.
The internet is filled with various brain-training programs claiming to improve cognitive abilities and memory. However, Etienne de Villers-Sidani from McGill University mentions that it’s often challenging to determine their actual effectiveness.
De Villers-Sidani notes, “They showed some positive effects on certain cognitive measures, but the pressing question remains: how significantly do they alter the brain?”
To explore this, he and a team of researchers sought to find out if mental exercise could elevate levels of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger closely linked to cognitive performance. This neurotransmitter typically starts to decrease around middle age.
“Around every ten years after age 40 or 45, there’s an approximate 2.5% decline in acetylcholine in critical areas of the brain,” adds De Villers-Sidani.
This decline accelerates significantly in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The study examined 92 healthy participants aged 65 and above. During the 10-week study, half of them engaged in cognitive exercises for 30 minutes daily through a program called Brain HQ, which is designed to enhance attention and processing speed.
“This program really pushes you to your limits by requiring you to recall more information in less time,” explains De Villers-Sidani. Meanwhile, the other half spent their time playing casual video games like Solitaire and Candy Crush. The researchers employed a specialized PET scan to measure changes in acetylcholine levels, focusing on the anterior cingulate cortex, an area vital for decision-making and error detection.
Admittedly, De Villers-Sidani was initially uncertain if they would observe any changes. “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much,” he admitted.
Surprisingly, they found that while levels of acetylcholine remained stable in those who played video games, those who participated in cognitive training experienced a meaningful increase.
The increase was approximately 2.3%, which, while not massive, is significant considering the typical age-related decline of 2.5% per decade.
This suggests that, at least in this brain region, cognitive training might effectively turn back the clock by roughly a decade. Acetylcholine levels also rose in other parts of the brain, including the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory processing. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this study is set to be published in the journal JMIR Serious Games.
Michael Hasselmo, a neuroscientist at Boston University, expressed his admiration for the findings. “It was compelling enough that I even looked up the task myself to see if I should try it,” he shared.
Hasselmo, who has spent significant time studying acetylcholine, noted that it’s critical for neuronal behavior. “Blocking this neurotransmitter with drugs, like scopolamine, can leave a person unable to think clearly,” he explained.
A hallmark of Alzheimer’s is low acetylcholine levels, which contribute to declines in memory and cognitive function. Hasselmo pointed out that even minor increases in this neurotransmitter could substantially enhance cognitive capabilities. For example, he noted that a cup of coffee can elevate acetylcholine levels enough to boost attention and speed of response.
He stated, “A 2.5% change might lead to noticeable effects, even on a subjective level.” Interestingly, he mentioned that initial Alzheimer’s medications work by increasing acetylcholine levels. Now, it seems that rigorous brain training could provide similar advantages, according to the findings.
