Gaming this time does not make you aggressive, but forgetful and sick. A new study examines action games.
Video games, like almost all new media, are repeatedly criticized. Sometimes they are the cause of a rampage, then they make you aggressive or stupid. However, there is little scientific proof of this so far, as long-term studies are scarce, although their number is slowly increasing.
A new investigation at the University of Montreal claims to have found that the consumption of action games has dramatic consequences for the development of a part of the brain.
According to this, playing action games (such as Call of Duty, Killzone, or Borderlands 2) can lead to less gray matter in the hippocampus. Initially, the researchers only found that gamers have less mass, but could not definitely attribute this to video games. However, this was then confirmed by the researchers in a longer test: Playing (action games) leads to less gray matter in the hippocampus.
Action games lead to less mass in an important brain area
But what effects can this have?
According to the researchers, this can lead to an increased risk of psychological and cognitive illnesses. As an example, the researchers mentioned increased dangers for schizophrenia, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), as well as Alzheimer’s and depression.
Generally, more mass in the hippocampus is a sign of a “much healthier” brain, and less of it can lead to serious problems.
Interestingly, playing other games, in this case the study of “3D games” like Mario without much action, where learning ability and skill are more required, led to more gray matter in the hippocampus.
The researchers’ appeal to game manufacturers is to incorporate more beneficial aspects into action games that challenge and promote areas of the hippocampus. Possible examples mentioned include “removing GPS systems in the game or maps that show everything exactly” – then players would have to orient themselves and “learn” the environments, which would be beneficial.
Other studies have already found that video games can also be beneficial – for example, in hand-eye coordination, short-term memory, or problem-solving. This study also acknowledges that, but expresses concern that “the disadvantages may outweigh the advantages”.
What do you think of such studies? Is this an exciting field that still has a lot to explore? Or does it all leave you cold and gaming is just a hobby, and every hobby has disadvantages?
In other areas, gaming is being tested against dementia – as therapy for elderly people.
