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NPR reports the first strong evidence that mental exercise can biologically alter the brain: in a 10-week study of 92 adults 65+, intensive BrainHQ training raised acetylcholine levels by about 2.3% in the anterior cingulate cortex, with gains also seen in the hippocampus, while video-game players showed no change. Researchers used a specialized PET scan. The increase roughly offsets a decade of age-related decline. Funded by the NIH and published in JMIR Serious Games, the findings drew praise from neuroscientist Michael Hasselmo.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.