Doing the right kind of brain exercises can improve the memory and other mental abilities of older people, research suggests.

The US study found that those who exercised their brains with a "revitalisation" computer program performed much better on general memory tests.

Dr Elizabeth Zelinski, of the University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center in Los Angeles, led a study of healthy adults (aged 65 and older) who participated in the program.

Half of these adults completed up to 40 hours of the computer-based Posit Science Brain Fitness Program.

Dr Elizabeth Zelinski, University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center: "Doing the properly designed cognitive activities can enhance abilities as you age."

The other half, who followed the traditional advice that older people will benefit from new learning, completed up to 40 hours of a computer-based educational training program.

The group that engaged in the Posit Science program showed "significantly superior gains in standardised, clinical measures of memory equal to approximately 10 years".

Participants in the Posit Science program also showed significant gains in how they perceived their memory and other mental abilities.

This included questions of everyday tasks such as remembering names and phone numbers or where they had left their keys as well as communication abilities and feelings of self-confidence.

Dr Zelinski said: "Doing the properly designed cognitive activities can enhance abilities as you age."

"My memory improved after I participated in the study," said Marlene Allen of Mill Valley, California, a study participant. "I also felt better and a lot more energised. I really had fun doing the training."

Dr John Smith, of San Anselmo, is a semi-retired dentist, still working part-time. He finds that he functions well at work and gave the program credit for his interactions there. "I'm quicker to respond to questions and my memory is better," Dr Smith said.

The study was believed to be the largest study ever done on aging and mental training using a "brain revitalisation" computer program.

The research was presented at the 2007 Gerontological Society of America Meeting in San Francisco.

The article Computer workout boosts memory originally appeared on 999 Today