Does playing the brain/memory game really help?
From: eTrue Blue - 08/10/2007

Computer and video programs claiming to "train your brain" are becoming more
popular as baby boomers head into their golden years. However, not all of
these programs have been shown to work, according to Cindy Lustig, a U-M
assistant professor of psychology. "In most memory training programs, the
people who likely need training the most - those 80 and older and people with
lower initial ability - improve the least," Lustig said. Researchers suggest
that in order to improve memory, one needs not only to work hard, but work
smart. Their findings are published in the August issue of Psychological
Science. 

Read the entire article at:
http://alumni.umich.edu/wordpress/?p=138

Links:
Cindy Lustig
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/psych/people/directory/profiles/faculty/?uniquename=clustig
http://www.umich.edu/%7Eneurosci/faculty/clustig.htm

August Issue of Psychological Science
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/index.cfm?journal=ps&content=ps/18_8

Who Benefits From Memory Training?
Cognitive training programs can have significant benefits. However, their
efficacy is often reduced for individuals of advanced age or lower cognitive
ability. Using older adult subjects, we examined the role of self-initiation
of cognitive control in a training program that targets recollection memory.
Relative time spent on an open-ended, intentional encoding task that requires
the self-initiation of cognitive control was highly predictive of improvement
in the training task, and fully accounted for individual differences related
to age and crystallized intelligence. Analyzing training programs from the
perspective of cognitive theory may help clarify how these programs have
their effects and suggest ways to optimize such programs for the individuals
who need them most. 

Research shows older brains rise to challenge
http://www.umich.edu/~urecord/0506/Nov07_05/18.shtml
http://www.agelesslearner.com/blog/?p=199

Older Brains Still Capable of Kicking into High Gear
http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0001909/53/
