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Although scoffed at for years, computer games that drill specific skills are gaining currency as a viable treatment for brain conditions and a hedge against normal aging.
A growing body of evidence suggests that a brain “trained” this way will be better equipped to work around damage caused by disease, injury, deficits, or aging – just as a physically fit person can better avoid and bounce back from injury.
Bonnie Wong, a clinical neuropsychologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and her colleagues are starting what they envision as a gym for the mind, offering brain training exercises – specially designed computer games – as well as nutritional and lifestyle coaching, social opportunities, and classes in meditation, music, and yoga.