| Many researchers and medical professionals have | | | | from the web searches. This was done for exactly |
| been curious as to whether or not surfing the web | | | | one week. At the end of the week, the individuals |
| could affect the natural aging process of the brain. | | | | were instructed to come back to the lab where the |
| Recently, they discovered that the answer to this | | | | initial experiment was held and required to perform |
| question is "yes". A study was recently conducted | | | | more internet searches while being examined by the |
| where several elderly individuals were placed in front | | | | psychiatry and neuroscience professionals through the |
| of the internet for the very first time in order to | | | | means of a FMRI. |
| discover it affected their brain in any way. This study | | | | Starting at the first evaluation, it was determined that |
| was conducted by professionals in psychiatry as well | | | | there was increased activity in the brain. This occurred |
| as those that practice neuroscience from the | | | | in the area of the brain that is responsible for language |
| University of California at Los Angeles. This university | | | | abilities, memorization, reading ability and |
| is also known as UCLA. The study consisted of | | | | comprehension, as well as the abilities that reflect the |
| individuals from the age of 55 to the age of 78. | | | | vision of an individual. When the test subjects were |
| The individuals that participated in the study were ones | | | | asked to revisit the lab after one week of engaging in |
| that did not engage in regular internet use. The brain | | | | daily internet searches of just an hour a day, there |
| activity that was measured was compared to other | | | | was also increased activity in the areas of the brain |
| individuals of the same group that regularly used the | | | | that are responsible for making decisions as well as |
| internet. The test subjects were placed on a FMRI. | | | | retaining information on a short-term basis. Those that |
| This stands for "Functional Magnetic Resonance | | | | were experienced in regular internet users already |
| Imaging" while they performed an assortment of | | | | displayed this level of activity. |
| internet searches on the World Wide Web. This | | | | While many individuals have questioned the positive |
| particular medical tool is used to measure changes that | | | | impact that technology has on individuals, this test |
| occur in the brain over a given period of time, while | | | | study concluded that interaction with technology may |
| performing various tasks. This initial test was only one | | | | actually reduce the effect of aging on the human brain. |
| that would validate the fact that the internet does, in | | | | There were a total of 24 test subjects used in this lab |
| fact, have a positive impact on the brain. | | | | test. The group wants to test a larger number of |
| Once the initial test was concluded, the test subjects | | | | individuals to ensure that their findings are accurate. |
| were instructed to spend at least one hour daily on the | | | | The new testing procedure is already in the works, but |
| internet searching for various keywords and topics at | | | | the results of that future test already appear to be |
| home. There were many questions that were to be | | | | quite positive based on the results of this neurological |
| answered based on the information that was retained | | | | science experiment of the brain. |