NEWSBRIEF: For the first time, research on humans has demonstrated that mental activity can increase the number of dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that's important for short-term memory, balance, immune function and more. Dopamine activity is often low in people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Dopamine imbalances are known to impair what's called the "working memory" - the type of memory that holds information for a short time, such as the next step in a recipe or where you parked your car.
The same research team had previously shown that a few weeks of intensive cognitive training could improve the working memory. This time, they used positron emission tomography (PET scans) to confirm their belief that the training was leading to biochemical changes in the brain.
Researchers say this could lead to new treatments for cognitive impairments from chronic fatigue syndrome, ADD/ADHD, aging and stroke.
Related Content: Symptoms of Low Dopamine & Possible Remedies
Hmmm…I wonder if that’s why us FMS/CFS folks who play video games tend to fare better cognitively (obviously, that idea is based on anecdotal information, not research)? Husband and I are both on clinical trials for milnacipran, and our coordinator is always surprised that we do so well cognitively when many of our other symptoms are bad. We’re both gamers and do much problem solving in our work (he’s a programmer, I do tech support). In talking with others with FMS, it’s always surprised me that as bad as the cognitive function can be some days, I tend to fare better than others I talk to with FMS.
Jodith,
Actually, there IS research supporting video games, both for “distracting” your brain from pain and for building cognitive abilities. There more on that here:
Treating Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS With … Child’s Play?
I’ve noticed that if I gradually push my brain to do more – remember lists, solve problems, etc. – that I regain cognitive abilities. I’ve seen that my improvement at online word games has made me less likely to forget words and more able to stay on track verbally.
Isn’t it amazing that something free and relatively simple can make such a big difference?
Sounds to me like more “it’s all in your mind” stuff.
Glen,
Nothing could be further from the truth. They’re actuall documenting physical changes in the brain caused by cognitive training. It reinforces other recent brain research showing that the more you use your brain, the better your memory and cognitive function will be over time.
Studies are showing that cognitive training can reverse gray matter loss due to aging, and slow and reverse memory loss in Alzheimer’s.
When it comes to activities that distract the brain from pain, there’s a biological basis for that as well. It’s well established that when we focus on something, our brain activity shifts.
When we’re in pain, the areas of the brain that process and regulate pain are active. It’s especially hard to get the brain to ignore pain signals. However, if we can immerse our brains in an activity, it can get the brain to pay less attention to the pain and more attention to the activity. Fully immersive video games are one of the better options because they involve all of the senses and are a bigger distraction.
It’s not “all in your mind,” it’s all in your brain chemistry.
Adrienne, that is such good news! I’m not much of an on-line gamer myself, but if it will help I’ll try a few!
Thank you!