Computer Games Combat Depression

Brain-boosting computer games may be as effective as drugs in treating severe depression in older men and women with treatment-resistant depression. Sarah Morimoto, from Weill Cornell Medical College (New York), and colleagues enrolled eleven men and women, ages 60 to 89 years, in a four-week long program of playing computer games that had been developed to promote memory and  decision-making skills.  As compared to a comparably-aged group given anti-depressant medication, the computer exercises were just as effective at reducing symptoms of depression – but did so in 4 weeks instead of 12; and 72% of the group that played computer games experienced full remission of depression. The study authors write that: “We conclude that [neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive remediation-geriatric depression treatment] may be equally effective as [prescription medication] in treating [geriatric depression]. In addition, [neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive remediation-geriatric depression treatment] participants showed greater improvement in executive functions than historical controls treated with [prescription medication].”