Play games to improve your brain

By Joan Aragone, San Mateo County Times, 07/27/2008

As we age, our brains function less efficiently than they did when we were younger.

That isn't news to anybody over 50 who knows the experience of forgetting a name immediately on introduction or grasping for words to describe a common object.

But there's hope. We used to think of the brain as a machine with an allotted number of cells that wore out over time.

But that notion has changed. According to current research, the complex organ known as the brain can regenerate new cells or neurons throughout life. But, like the rest of the body, the brain needs stimulation to operate well. “Use it or lose it“ pertains once again.

For many of us, old standbys like daily crosswords and numbers exercises are a comfort. But technology-based computer products focused on the brain are proving to be as or more effective ways to sharpen that all-important organ.

Some are available as video games, others in CD form.

But a Mountain View company, HAPPYneuron, has created a series of exercises - geared to specific brain functions - that can be tried for free and used on your home computer.

Their focus is global training or stimulation of all functions of the brain.

“We do not stimulate the brain itself, but through progressive training, such as exercises and practices, we can stimulate the functions of the brain,“ said neurologist and neuropsychologist Dr. Bernard Croisile, chief scientific officer of HAPPYneuron, in a phone interview. “These include attention, memory, language, executive functions and visual and spatial functions.“

While daily crosswords may strengthen language skills, they may not work on other equally important skills.

“Cross-functional brain training is what works best,“ Dr. Crosile said. “It exercises all the functions consistently, including the executive functions, for optimal strength of the neural network.“

The HAPPYneuron Web site, www.Happy-Neuron.com, offers online brain games in each cognitive category, available at several levels, from beginning to advanced. Free games with feedback, retries and the ability to move around categories are also available for those interested in perusing the site without purchasing a monthly membership.

The site also provides a virtual “coach,“ which prepares personal brain workouts and customizes the sessions, giving the player feedback about performance. That can be helpful in pushing a player to try for higher levels.

Peninsula resident Doug MacDonell, 69, a retired contract analyst who had checked out several brain fitness Web sites, said he spends about three to four hours a week with HAPPYneuron.

A two-month veteran of the program, he appreciates that he's exercising five areas of his brain.

“I enjoy the coach function. It tells me which exercise to do.“

Never good at remembering numbers, he said he recently heard an ad on the radio and was able to memorize and recall the telephone number, “something I would never have been able to do.“

Although not designed for use by people with specific diagnoses, such as Alzheimer's disease, some of the games at the lower levels can be used for people with mild cognitive impairment, Crosile said.

“They can progress with confidence building to higher levels. Confidence building is very important.“

An appealing part of the program's marketing is the opportunity to try games in all brain functions and at all levels for free, even if you need to repeat a level more than once.

MacDonell plans to continue. “The games keep me in focus,“ he said. “I'm determined to improve. I'm very enthusiastic about them.“

Membership in HAPPYneuron, at $9.95 per month or $99 per year, gives access to unlimited play on the game collection and the virtual coach. Products will also be available in book and CD format.