Are you worried about the excessive hours you are spening surfing on net? Ofourse, many researches are being taken up by various universities to study the impact of Social networking sites etc.. but here is something different.A research suggests that, for middle-aged and older people at least, using the internet helps boost brain power.

A University of California Los Angeles team found searching the web stimulated centres in the brain that controlled decision-making and complex reasoning.

The researchers say this might even help to counteract the age-related physiological changes that cause the brain to slow down.

The study features in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

As the brain ages, a number of changes occur, including shrinkage and reductions in cell activity, which can affect performance.

It has long been thought that activities which keep the brain active, such as crossword puzzles, may help minimise that impact - and the latest study suggests that surfing the web can be added to the list.

The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging scans to record subtle brain-circuitry changes in the patients as they performed Web searches and read book passages. fMRI scans track the intensity of cell responses in the brain by measuring the level of blood flow through the brain.

“Our most striking finding was that Internet searching appears to engage a greater extent of neural circuitry that is not activated during reading,” team leader Prof Gary Small was quoted by ‘The Sunday Times’ as saying.

As searching involves a decision making "which click is useful and which has to be clicked" . This is not there is reading. This enerziges the cognitive power of the brain and may reverse the process of aging brain to some extent.

What is Dementia?

Btw.. one serious question has to be answered.. what is dementia?

"Dementia is a word for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there."

SO atlast something positive for those who stare for long hours on their computer Desk  googling and blogging