08/18/08 Mind Games

Maybe Mr. Quayle had it right after all, "A mind is a terrible thing to lose." And the computer gaming companies such as Nintendo are banking on the fact that the world's baby boomers are reaching an age where retaining their "little gray cells" is an upmost priority. But will plunking down sometimes hundreds of dollars for the latest and greatest computer brainteasers or mind games software really protect your gray matter any better than the age old games of yesteryear which are free for the asking? Remember the game Concentration? How about Rock, Paper, Scissors or Solitaire, using, (gasp) an old fashioned deck of cards? With claims like, "Improve and maintain your quality of life", "You can stay totally healthy longer", or "A powerful new weapon in the fight against Alzheimer's disease", it's no wonder people are plunking down their hard earned moola. But there is no scientific research on computer mind games to back up these claims. Bottom line is you don't have to break the bank in order to stay sharp. Just remember to "use it, or lose it."