The Times Online is reporting that a recent study found negligible gains from using using the game Brain Age. The survey of 67 ten-year-old children did not produce evidence of improving brain function. "That's the age where you have the best chance of improvement," said Alain Lieury, professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Rennes, Brittany. "If it doesn't work on children, it won't work on adults."

"The Nintendo DS is a technological jewel. As a game it's fine," added Lieury. "But it is charlatanism to claim that it is a scientific test."

The children that were part of the study were split into groups that either used DS titles like Brain Age, did puzzles with pencils and paper, or went to school as normal. The pencil-and-paper group did 19 percent better in mathematics, 33 percent better in memorizing, and 10 percent better in logic tests. The DS playing children also showed a 19 percent improvement in mathematics, but were 17 percent worse in memorizing and, again, 10 percent improved in logic tests. The control/school group saw an 18 percent increase in mathematics and a 20 percent increase in logic tests.

Lieury will write in Stimulate Your Neurons, a book due out this month, that, "There were few positive effects and they were weak. Doctor Kawashima is one of a long list of dream merchants."