Older adults demonstrated better multitasking skills and other cognitive functions after playing a custom-designed video game, according to a recent UCSF study. After months of playing a driving game called NeuroRacer, seniors were better at remembering information and paying attention. One of the study’s co-authors joins us to talk about the potential use of video games as therapeutic tools — both to improve cognitive skills and treat mental disorders like ADHD, depression and dementia.
In the NeuroRacer game, players are supposed to click a button when a distracting green road sign pops up. (Video: The Gazzaley Lab)