A clinical trial at McGill University in Canada showed that practicing brain training exercises online can reactivate the neural systems responsible for learning and memory in older people, so that the brain’s performance becomes similar to that of someone ten years younger than them.
92 people over the age of 65 participated in the study. They used an interactive application called BrainHQ for 10 weeks, 30 minutes a day.
The results of positron emission tomography (PET) scans showed that training led to the restoration of activity of the cholinergic system in the brain, which is the nervous system responsible for attention, memory, and decision-making, which usually declines with age.
“Training restored the function of the cholinergic system to a level normally seen in people 10 years younger; this is the first time any intervention, whether pharmacological or non-pharmacological, has demonstrated such an effect in humans,” says Dr. Etienne de Villiers-Sedani, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University and a physician at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s are associated with severe declines in the health of the cholinergic system, so these findings explain why mental exercise can reduce the risk of dementia and improve cognitive performance. Researchers believe that this type of training could constitute a safe alternative to medications or be used alongside them.
The BrainHQ application relies on interactive, speed-based cognitive games that increase in difficulty as the user improves. Hundreds of scientific studies have supported its effectiveness in enhancing neuroplasticity.
“Many people think that doing crossword puzzles or reading is enough to maintain mental intelligence, but not all activities actually activate the brain; training like this stimulates neural networks to adapt and grow,” says de Villiers-Sedani.
The research team used advanced imaging technology by examining the vesicular transporter of acetylcholine, which shows the reserve of cholinergic cells in the brain. This examination allowed for measuring changes before and after the training period with high accuracy.
This research shows that targeted cognitive stimulation can act as a digital drug that rejuvenates the brain, offering a practical and safe way to improve memory and cognitive functions, without any drug intervention, just through scientifically regulated intelligent play.
