A group of UCLA researchers has determined that for middle-aged and older folks, using the Internet, particularly search, causes enhanced neural stimulation leading to better reasoning and decision-making.

At a recent presentation at the Neuroscience 2009 meeting in Chicago, the scientists stated, “The results suggest that searching online may be a simple form of brain exercise that might be employed to enhance cognition in older adults.” Defying folk wisdom regarding old dogs and new tricks, the research was conducted on Internet users aged 55 to 78, about half of whom rarely used the Internet.

Previously, the same researchers proved that conducting searches online doubles brain activitation in older “digital natives” compared to older “digital immigrants.”

One of the authors of the study, UCLA psych professor Dr. Gary Small, said, “We found that for older people with minimal experience, performing Internet searches for even a relatively short period of time can change brain activity patterns and enhance function.” In other words, it takes just a matter of days for older first-time Internet users to catch up to their more experienced counterparts in terms of brain activity.

More at: Get Granny to Google: How the Internet Helps Older Brains.