Digital �Dementia� on the Rise Among Youth

The increasing reliance on digital technology by current generation has seen a sharp rise in the number of �digital dementia' cases among the youth.

Researchers at South Korea's Balance Brain Centre over reliance on gadgets such as smartphones and game devices has deteriorated the cognitive abilities of young people to an extent that is normally seen in patients who suffer head injuries or psychiatric illnesses.

The researchers said that constant use of smartphones and gaming devices leads to underdevelopment of the right side of the brain, associated with concentration, which affects attention and memory span and may lead to early onset of dementia in 15 percent of cases.

"Over-use of smartphones and game devices hampers the balanced development of the brain. Heavy [technology] users are likely to develop the left side of their brains, leaving the right side untapped or underdeveloped", Balance Brain Centre's Byun Gi-won said.

Source: Medindia