Why Granny Should Google

Why Grandma Should Google. Using Google or other internet search engines may help older people stave off dementia and cognitive decline, scientists say. UCLA researches asked volunteers, ranging in age from 55 to 78, to spend an hour a day using Google to search for information about a range of subjects. Many had never used the Internet before. After two weeks, brain scans revealed increased blood flow in the regions involved in decision-making and short-term memory. The results validate the notion that seeking out new ideas and interests helps to keep the brain stimulated and healthy. "Becoming involved in new things and keeping your brain active are all hallmark activities that would tend to preserve your cognitive skills," neuro scientist Susan Bookheimer tells Nation Geographic news. "And these are all things that searching the Internet for new information really does."