<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Go ahead and play your favorite addictive smartphone gaming apps \u2014 chances are they're good for your brain.\nA new study from the Archives of Neurology says playing brain stimulating games can improve your memory and delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease. \nTraditional brain games are scientifically designed to boost cognitive activity and\u00A0enhance memory. \nThe market for mobile brain gaming apps is booming. Lumosity, one of the top creators of brain-training exercises and applications for web and mobile, raised $32.5 million for its brain training apps in 2011.\nBut scientist are finding that many games requiring focus \u2014 including Angry Birds \u2014 give the brain a healthy workout. Scientists say playing games, reading and writing all slow the growth of amyloid, the brain protein scientists think might cause the memory loss disease.\nThe Alzhemier\u2019s Association told ABC News that the study \u201Ccontains some valuable new data regarding the possible relationship between modifiable lifestyle risk factors and the brain changes that are indicative of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u201D\nOne hundred-year-old Kathleen Connell of the UK is the perfect example of a gamer who spends a couple hours per day playing brain games on her Nintendo DS to keep her mind young. A few of Connell's favorite Nintendo DS games include Art Academy, Brain Trainer, Scrabble and Family Fortunes, she told The Sun. Brain Trainer calculated Connell's mental age at 64.\n\"The Nintendo has been a great help to me, it's absolutely amazing,\" she told The Sun. \"If there's any secret to a long life it's to think positive and keep your mind active.\"\nIf the study and Connell's advice are true, everyone at any age should play brain games to stay sharp. What are your favorite brain game apps? Check out our favorites in the gallery.\n\n\nStay Sharp With Top Brain Games\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrain Challenge by Gameloft for iOS \n\nBrain Challenge tests visual, memory, logic, math and focus to give one's brain the exercise it needs to stay healthy. \nImage courtesy of Apple\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrain Trainer  by Lumosity for iOS\r\n\n\nLumosity claims Brain Trainer can improve one's mood, memory and ability to think quickly. The app also helps one develop better problem solving skills. \nImage courtesy of Apple\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMemory Trainer by Urbian for Android\n\n\nMemory Trainer is Android's brain game app. Memory Trainer is similar to  Brain Challenge and Brain Trainer because the game is supposed to improve one's memory, concentration and focus. \nImage courtesy of Android\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWords With Friends By Zynga for iOS and Android\n\nForming words from a few jumbled blocks while playing with friends is a great brain workout and it's fun. \nImage courtesy of Apple\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSudoku for iOS and Android\n\nThe ultimate number puzzle is a great brain challenge. A player must figure out where to place numbers one through nine in each row, column and 3\u00D73  sub-square within the 9x9 puzzle. \nImage courtesy of Apple\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBejewed Blitz By PopCap for iOS\n\nBejeweled Blitz is a fast-paced interactive jewel puzzle. The object of the game is to line up multiple jewels of the same color in a row. \nImage courtesy of Apple\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBistro Cook by Quasar Studios for Android\n\nWe'll call this the wild card game since it's not exactly made for brain training. But, Bistro Cook helps improve focus, multitasking and time management skills. If you don't cook the food just right, you'll eat burnt chicken for dinner. \nImage courtesy of Android\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage courtesy of iStockphoto, alex-mit"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/02/06/brain-games/>