If those other 9,000 reasons to play video games weren't good enough for you, here's another: they improve your cognitive functions, even when you're well over the hill.

In a recent study involving 40 adults in their 60s and 70s, it was found playing a strategy-heavy video game (Rise of Nations) improved their cognitive brain functions, including memory, reasoning, and multi-tasking. All of these are abilities which typically decline with age, so the findings suggest playing games, strategy-heavy ones at least, are beneficial, especially to older folks, researchers report in the Psychology and Aging journal.

Previous studies have shown improvements to motor skills and logic (ex. Tetris), but this study has given a conclusion that is a first of its kind. As such, senior researcher Dr. Arthur F. Kramer -- a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -- says it's important not to overstate the findings, but the results are "very promising".

The subjects in the study were split into two groups -- the video game group and a comparison group which received no training in the game. Over a one-month period, the first group spent roughly 23 hours training in "Rise of the Nations", learning complex things like military strategy, city building, economic management, and feeding people. This group saw improved scores in many cognitive tests.

Kramer says more research is needed to confirm and extend the discovery. For example, it's not clear if other strategic games would reproduce the results, or if they are long-term. Nevertheless, they do go well with other research which states older adults can stay healthy and fit by excercising their minds and bodies through reading, writing, or other hobbies.

As one would imagine, it's easier to let oneself ago once that milestone has been reached, for physical and emotional reasons, so the key is to not fall into it -- and do things like play video games! Kramer says playing video games with one's grandkids is a great idea, "because we know that social interactions -- along with physical exercise and intellectual challenge -- also enhance the cognitive abilities of older adults."

Flash forward 50 years: see the Neoseeker 'gaming for old cranks' forum. The future is bright, folks.