Brain training Nintendo Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training

What it is: Software

Price: £110 (includes DS console)

From: Nintendo

What the company says

This exercises the brain, like a treadmill for the mind, and the challenges in the game can help stimulate memory. Nintendo says it doesn’t claim the game can improve the brain’s health or reverse the effects of ageing.

But the instruction booklet says training can help consolidate memory and creativity and may hopefully help develop a resistance against decline in later life: ‘It’s vitally important to continue training’.

The evidence

The included booklet mentions studies that suggest everyday processes, such as memory, will benefit if you use Brain Training. It also states that – on the basis of the latest scientific evidence – the exercises have been chosen because doing them increases blood flow to a part of the brain called the frontal cortex.

Our experts say

None of the studies has been published in recognised scientific journals. And increased brain activity in terms of blood flow isn’t evidence the brain is being trained or altered at all.

Adrian Owen said that surfing the internet and chatting with friends will also increase blood flow to the frontal cortex. ‘If we use Nintendo’s logic, these activities are just as likely to train your brain.’

Chris Bird also said that areas of the brain affected by diseases such as Alzheimer’s are well supplied with blood, which makes Nintendo’s logic even more problematic. If you practise the tasks you will almost certainly get better at them and reduce what the game calls your Brain Age.

The Brain Age idea is fun and motivating, but Chris Bird said: ‘There is no evidence this will have any functional impact on your life whatsoever. All the user will have done is trained their brain to be better at the tasks practised.'

In 2008, Dr Kawashima himself wrote: ‘Although general interest in brain training has been increasing in the public, evidence for its beneficial effects still remains insufficient.’

Which? member says

Kerry Redden, 42, said: ‘I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed using Brain Training and how easy it was to use. It has improved my mental arithmetic. I’m not looking forward to handing it back – I’d like to get my brain age down below 26!’