Researchers found that four weeks of video game training in older adults improved brain plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change functionally over time. The researchers saw improvements in multitasking abilities and observed brain wave activity similar to that of young people.

Two months later, another separate study involving brain-training computer games found that it improved balance in seniors after only ten weeks.

Playing the popular video games such as World of Warcraft resulted in  improvements in brain areas of seniors that control spatial ability, memory and attention.

A lifetime of completing crossword puzzles and other challenging word and brain skill games may make seniors less likely to develop brain patterns indicative of Alzheimer’s disease.