LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) -

There are several websites, like Lumosity, that claim playing their online or mobile games can make you perform better at work, or delay cognitive impairment. But do they?

The Federal Trade Commission doesn’t think so, and in response, have brought deceptive advertising charges against Lumosity.

Lumosity is a pay site. It’s about $15 a month to play their claimed brain training games, although they recently lowered the monthly rate.

Jeffrey Quiett, professor of Psychology at LeTourneau University in Longview doesn’t believe in the “miracle pill” Lumosity claims to be.

“I think we all look for one thing to fix things that are broken, for example, Alzheimer’s, we want one thing that will help us not have that,” Quiett says.

He says people may perceive Lumosity as that one thing.

“I think it’s multiple things, a lot of things that go into helping our brain develop and help our brain function well,” Quiett said.

He believes Lumosity’s games could help.

“But they’re not going to prevent, and there’s no cause and effect relationship that you can establish between that one thing and preventative brain issues,” Quiett stated.

He feels money was a motivating factor behind the claims.

“If you can get an app that’s really popular, that’s millions of dollars, and so the claims that this can prevent Alzheimer’s or help with Alzheimer’s are far reaching statements,” Quiett said.

He says Lumosity may be using operant conditioning to keep their subscribers.

“I’m rewarded for doing something well, which makes it more likely I’ll do it again. And of course, pay the money so I can feel good about myself for doing something,” Quiett added.

For brain health, Quiett advises reading, exercise, and interaction.

Lumosity has agreed to pay $2 million to settle the FTC charges, and give its paying customers an easy way to opt out of their subscription.

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