Tom’s Wordpress Blog

Amidst the swirling snow and frigid temperature, I was able to pick up a copy of Sharon Begley’s new book Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain. I had heard Begley talk about neuroplasticity on NPR’s Science Friday and decided I wanted to read the book.

What I find particularly fascinating in Begley’s presentation is the idea that significant brain changes (that is, plasticity) don’t happen without paying attention:

As well will see, neuroplasticity is impossible without attention and mental effort. (from the first chapter)

Begley goes on to point out situations where such changes work well: depression, dyslexia and athletics or performance arts. I’m sure there are many others, including meditation, since the books structure revolves around a 2004 meeting between the Dali Lama and neuroscientists.

Vision is yet another promising function touched by the wand of plasticity. I’ve written elsewhere about some of my vision experiences during my training as a Feldenkrais practitioner.

But today I ran across an unlikely method of improving brain processing involved in vision: video games. A University of Rochester study suggests that the more challenging the game, the better the chance for improving spatial visual skills. Among college kids who were not experienced at video games (yes, they evidently found some) those who played Unreal Tournament, a shooter game, improved spatial visual skills after practicing an hour a day for 30-days. Other kids played the old Tetris game, and showed no improvement.

Maybe Steven Johnson was onto something with his idea that Everything Bad is Good for You.