Study: Multitasking Could Lead To Less Gray Matter

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- With technology and gadgets these days, many of us are getting pretty good at multitasking.

But it may be affecting your brain.

As CBS 2's Cindy Hsu reported, a new study from the University of Sussex found using media devices at the same time could be changing our brains. Those who do it often were found to have less gray matter, the part of the brain that processes information.

But neurologist Dr. Andrew Varga of NYU Langone Medical Center said it's not clear if multitasking is what causes the loss of gray matter.

"People can have just smaller volume of gray matter in a certain brain area, and it's just a matter of their natural anatomy that they were born with," Varga said.

Varga said those with less gray matter may just like using a lot of technology at once, adding, "The more things that you divide your attention between, the greater the chance that there's going to be errors."

Theo Farrow-Hurst is only 5 years old, but has an opinion on multitasking.

"Not so good," he said.

Theo's mom said she's working hard to cut down on distractions.

"When we're watching a show together, then that's something we're just doing together and enjoying that and having quality time doing that," Teresa Hurst said.

The O'Briens are having a tougher time with it.

"My brother and I, we usually play on the iPad and watch TV at the same time," said Jake O'Brien, 11.

His mom is trying desperately to cut down on multitasking herself.

"I do things, like crazy things, like go put my phone in my purse three rooms away so that I will finish what I need to get done, whatever it is," Ann O'Brien said.

She hopes the tricks will work, leaving more time for family.

Doctors say people lose gray matter as they age, so it is important to exercise our brains. Working on puzzles, crosswords and games are good ways to do that.

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