UCLA study finds that searching the Internet increases brain function / UCLA Newsroom

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Joel bookmarked on 2008-11-16 search brain

UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.
Internet searches revealed a major difference between the two groups. While all participants demonstrated the same brain activity that was seen during the book-reading task, the Web-savvy group also registered activity in the frontal, temporal and cingulate areas of the brain, which control decision-making and complex reasoning.
Compared with simple reading, the Internet's wealth of choices requires that people make decisions about what to click on in order to pursue more information, an activity that engages important cognitive circuits in the brain.

"A simple, everyday task like searching the Web appears to enhance brain circuitry in older adults, demonstrating that our brains are sensitive and can continue to learn as we grow older," Small said.

This link has been bookmarked by 22 people . It was first bookmarked on 18 Oct 2008, by Lisa Spiro.

10 Dec 09

Alicia Brungardt
This site shows research on brain activity when adults surf the web.

research brain
- for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.
  - Alicia Brungardt on 2009-12-10
    
    The study targeted middle-aged people.
- Small noted that pursuing activities that keep the mind engaged may help preserve brain health and cognitive ability. Traditionally, these include games such as crossword puzzles, but with the advent of technology, scientists are beginning to assess the influence of computer use — including the Internet.
- 5 more annotations...
- - "iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind," published today.
  - For the study, the UCLA team worked with 24 neurologically normal research volunteers between the ages of 55 and 76. Half of the study participants had experience searching the Internet, while the other half had no experience. Age, educational level and gender were similar between the two groups.
    Alicia Brungardt on 2009-12-10
    
    I would think that the first few interactions with the internet would engage brain activity!
  - All study participants showed significant brain activity during the book-reading task, demonstrating use of the regions controlling language, reading, memory and visual abilities, which are located in the temporal, parietal, occipital and other areas of the brain.
    
    Internet searches revealed a major difference between the two groups. While all participants demonstrated the same brain activity that was seen during the book-reading task, the Web-savvy group also registered activity in the frontal, temporal and cingulate areas of the brain, which control decision-making and complex reasoning.
    Alicia Brungardt on 2009-12-10
    
    Would students/ younger adults have the same stimulation in the brain?
  - volunteers with prior experience registered a twofold increase in brain activation when compared with those with little Internet experience. The tiniest measurable unit of brain activity registered by the fMRI is called a voxel. Scientists discovered that during Internet searching, those with prior experience sparked 21,782 voxels, compared with only 8,646 voxels for those with less experience.
    Alicia Brungardt on 2009-12-10
    
    Wow! That's an amazing difference!
  - "A simple, everyday task like searching the Web appears to enhance brain circuitry in older adults, demonstrating that our brains are sensitive and can continue to learn as we grow older," Small said.
29 Oct 09

Teacher 22
- UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults
- first of its kind to assess the impact of Internet searching on brain performance, is currently in press at the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and will appear in an upcoming issue.
- 2 more annotations...
- - a professor at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA who holds UCLA's Parlow-Solomon Chair on Aging. "Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function."
    
    As the brain ages, a number of structural and functional changes
  - e mind engaged may help preserve brain health and cognitive ability. Traditionally, these include games such as crossword puzzles, but with the advent of technology, scientists are beginning to assess the influence of comp
15 Oct 09

Charles Rathbone
more activity web searching than reading...hmmmmmm

brain images
18 Jun 09

Riette Roos
UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.

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27 Dec 08

Nancy Chewning
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23 Nov 08

edtechtalk
Thanks to Google, our brains are become less mushy - Sharon Peters

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22 Nov 08

Jan Smith
UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.

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Sarah Hanawald
Looked at middle aged and older adults to see the effect of internet searching on brain activity.

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- Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.
- emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults,
- 3 more annotations...
- - While all participants demonstrated the same brain activity that was seen during the book-reading task, the Web-savvy group also registered activity in the frontal, temporal and cingulate areas of the brain, which control decision-making and complex reasoning.
  - Internet searching appears to engage a greater extent of neural circuitry that is not activated during reading
  - Compared with simple reading, the Internet's wealth of choices requires that people make decisions about what to click on in order to pursue more information, an activity that engages important cognitive circuits in the brain.
William Gaskins
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Doug Peterson
UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning.

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Sharon Peters
Thanks to Google, our brains are become less mushy - Sharon Peters

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16 Nov 08

Joel Liu
search brain
- UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.
- Internet searches revealed a major difference between the two groups. While all participants demonstrated the same brain activity that was seen during the book-reading task, the Web-savvy group also registered activity in the frontal, temporal and cingulate areas of the brain, which control decision-making and complex reasoning.
- 1 more annotations...
- - Compared with simple reading, the Internet's wealth of choices requires that people make decisions about what to click on in order to pursue more information, an activity that engages important cognitive circuits in the brain.
    
    "A simple, everyday task like searching the Web appears to enhance brain circuitry in older adults, demonstrating that our brains are sensitive and can continue to learn as we grow older," Small said.
Ryan Bretag
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15 Nov 08

Cindy Kendall
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Alice Barr
UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.

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19 Oct 08

Emily Mann
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Sharon Elin
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Dennis Richards
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craig roland
UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimul

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Chris Betcher
UCLA study finds that searching the Internet increases brain function

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Liz Davis
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18 Oct 08

Lisa Spiro
UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.

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