Could video games be used to improve mental health?

 

Newly formed neurons play a role in brain function, and age-related decline in neurogenesis contributes to impairment in learning and memory1. Recreational video game playing is the phenomenon of our time, and there is evidence it can enhance neuronal plasticity2,3. Could this cognitive training have therapeutic potential in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Jürgen Gallinat (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany) presented the current evidence at this ECNP Virtual 2020 session. Read More. digitalfitnessworld

 Neurogenesis and brain volume

Global grey matter volume shows a linear decrease with age in normal adult brains

The hippocampus is essential for the acquisition of new memories1. In adult mouse studies, physical activity increases hippocampal neurogenesis1. In humans, brain volume is often used as a proxy for neuronal plasticity, with a linear decrease in global grey matter volume with age in normal adult brains4.

Video game playing and the brain

In adolescents, left ventral striatum volume (an area associated with dopamine release) is higher in frequent video game players (>9 h/week) compared to non-frequent players (<9 h/week)5.

In adults, there is a positive association between the lifetime amount of video gaming and grey matter volume.

In adults, there is a significant positive association (p<0.001) between the lifetime amount of video gaming and grey matter volume in parahippocampal, hippocampal and occipital regions, areas associated with spatial navigation and visual attention6.

Enhancing neural plasticity through cognitive training

Training adults for ≥30 min/day over two months with a three-dimensional platformer video game significantly increased grey matter volume in the right hippocampal, suitable dorsolateral prefrontal and bilateral cerebellum regions, associated with changes in navigation strategy and desire for video gaming2. Computer game-based inhibition training in older adults increased cortical thickness in the right inferior frontal gyrus triangular, an area associated with response inhibition3.

Training adults with a video game significantly increased grey matter volume

Possible transfer effects

Can computer game training effects lead to transfer effects on other cognitive skills? A prospective study randomized surgical novices to a game with high visual-spatial demands and visual similarities to endoscopy or a game with mainly mental needs (chess)7. Both groups demonstrated improved performance in minimally invasive surgical simulators, with increased transfer effect in those trained on the visually similar game.

 Therapeutic potential in psychiatry and neurology

 Flashbacks, a hallmark symptom of PTSD, are sensory-perceptual, visuospatial mental images. The brain has selective resources with limited capacity, with an estimated 6 h window to disrupt memory consolidation8. Could visuospatial cognitive tasks selectively compete for resources required to generate mental images?

 Those playing the computer game after viewing a traumatic film had a significant reduction in flashback frequency

 Participants were randomized to 10 min visuospatial task (Tetris computer game) or no-task 30 min after viewing a traumatic film (experimental analogue for PTSD)8. Those playing the computer game had a significant reduction in flashback frequency over one week. Male patients with combat-related PTSD were randomized to playing Tetris 60 min/day plus therapy or therapy alone for six weeks9. Following treatment, the Tetris group showed increased hippocampal volume and a reduction in symptoms of PTDS, depression and anxiety.

 Video game training was used to study traumatic memories after emergency Cesarean section (ECS), randomizing women to 15 min Tetris sessions within six h following ECS, or usual care10. The intervention group reported fewer traumatic memories over one week.

 The video game training group reported fewer traumatic memories after an emergency Cesarean section

 Further potential applications include reducing schizophrenia symptoms and addressing mild cognitive impairment. Read Moer. gravtechnology