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Computer games could serve in treating older hoi polloi with depression who have n’t been helped by antidepressant drugs or other discussion for the upset , researchers say .
In a study of 11 sometime patients , researchers foundplaying certain information processing system gameswas just as in effect at bring down symptoms of depressive disorder as the " golden monetary standard " antidepressant drug escitalopram . Moreover , those affected role playing the computer games achieved results in just four weeks , liken to the 12 week it often takes with escitalopram ( also known by its brand name , Lexapro ) .
The computer games even improved what researchers call executive functions more than the drug did , agree to the study . These functions are the thinking skills used in planning and organizing behavior , and their impairment has been unite todepression in elderly patients .
The findings suggest computerized therapy could also assist treat multitude with other brain disorders , scientists added .
However , the finding regarding depression are important , because clinical impression regard many older adults . " Depression is a serious and at time life-time - imperil illness , " say lead field author Sarah Shizuko Morimoto , a enquiry neuropsychologist at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York . " This is a biological illness of the brain , no unlike from any other illness , and it necessitates treatment . " [ 7 Ways Depression Differs in Men and Women ]
Antidepressant drugs have side effect that may make people wary of fill them , but not treat the sickness can have even more serious consequences , Morimoto tell .
However , antidepressant drugs often do littleto help senior patients . " Only rough one - third of depressed older affected role get to the full well with antidepressant drug , " Morimoto said .
Previously , Morimoto hear that mass who are n’t aid by antidepressant drug also tend to have impairment of their executive functions . In fact , patients who suffer from executive dysfunction are about half as likely to react to antidepressants .
In plus , executive dysfunction is common in geriatric slump . " About 40 per centum of downcast seniors have impairment in executive functions , " Morimoto said .
Morimoto and her colleagues reasoned that treat executive dysfunction could aid peoplerecover from imprint . As such , the researchers want to develop a therapy to exercise and potentially improve mass ’s executive functions . They used reckoner game , which prior research evoke may avail strengthen mental subroutine such as retentiveness .
The researchers originate one computer secret plan that involve balls move on a television CRT screen ; patients had to campaign a push when the Ball modify color . This secret plan helped test attention and truth . Another game involved rearranging multiple word lists into categories , which helped quiz speed and accuracy . Both games increase in difficulty over time establish on how well people did .
The scientists tested the game on participants ages 60 to 89 who had major depression and fail to show improvement with antidepressant drugs , including escitalopram . The player engaged in the computing equipment activities for 30 hours over the course of four weeks .
" Our findings hint that the wellness and functioning of brain circuits responsible for executive functions are important for recuperation from natural depression , " Morimoto say .
The researchers note this was a very small preliminary study , and they desire to conduct a randomize moderate trial , Morimoto said .
This electronic computer therapy could be used by itself or in conjunction with antidepressant drug , Morimoto said . In addition , this computerized approach " can be extended to other genial disorders by reprogramming it to target the brain circuits found afflicted in these disorders , " Morimoto articulate . For illustration , Morimoto said the researcher have started examine the effects of computerized therapy on patients who developed depression after suffering stroke .
The scientist detailed their findings online today ( Aug. 5 ) in the daybook Nature Communications .
