Video games enthusiasts ‘are at risk of dementia’

Playing “shooter” video games weakens the brain and puts people at greater risk of dementia in later life, research suggests.

A trial in Canada found that those who spent a lot of time playing games such as Call of Duty had less grey matter in the part of the brain responsible for orientation and for recalling past experience, creating a higher risk of neurological illnesses including Alzheimer’s, depression and schizophrenia.

British scientists have cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from the University of Montreal study, highlighting the small number of participants – 51 men and 46 women.