Social networking sites may change brain structure

Bucharest, 28th May 2012: MediHelp Internationalannounces to the Romanian market the results of a study conducted by its strategic partner BUPA, on the impact that social networking may have on the human brain structure. According to the study, there is a possible link between the number of friends people have on social networking sites and the size of certain parts of the brain.

In the report entitled “Social networking sites may change brain structure”, out of MRI scans of 125 students,BUPA researchers found , a link between the number of friends on social networks and the size of certain parts of the brain. To confirm the findings, BUPA researchers analyzed other 40 people. A subset of the 80 people who took part in the study was interviewed to find out how many friends they have in real life.It was found that those people who had more friends on Facebook have more gray matter in three regions of the brain, linked to memory, navigation and visual awareness.

Dr. Prerna Sharma - Senior Physician BUPA Health and Wellbeing United Kingdom said: “Social networking sites are becoming more popular and influential, however, we know very little about the impact they have on our brains and general health. Although, this may be an interesting finding, it doesn't necessarily help us to begin to understand the interaction of using social networking sites and the impact they may have on our brain. It would have been interesting to compare the MRI scans of those people who use social networking sites regularly with those of people who don't, and see if there had been any differences.”

Zahal Levy – President of MediHelp International comments on the issue: “The results of this study give us a useful insight not only on this matter, but on the modern life as a whole. We are facing stresses and strains every day and live new things every moment. All these have a certain effect on us, be it physically or mentally. In this type of society, the key words are prevention and protection. With the private health insurance policies we offer together with our partner BUPA International, we give our clients just that: the opportunity to lead a normal, carelfree life, being assured that their health and well-being are well taken care of in every moment”.

Within this study, researchers carried out four different experiments. Firstly, they looked at 125 people to see if there was a link between the number of friends on Facebook and changes in brain structure. Secondly, they sought to replicate their findings in a new sample of 40 people. Thirdly, the link between the number of Facebook friends and real-life friends in 80 people was looked at; finally the link between real-life friends and changes in brain structure was considered in 65 people. Factors, such as lifestyle, age and general health, as well as many others that may have affected the results, were not taken into account.

For a full copy of the report, please access: http://www.bupa.com/media-centre/health-news/

MediHelp International is the leading private health insurance broker in Central and Eastern Europe and has been present on the Romanian market since 1999. MediHelp International is the distribution manager of BUPA International in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. In partnership with BUPA International, MediHelp successfully combines Medical Assistance with International Health Insurance for the benefit of their clients.

MediHelp International is acting as an insurance broker of Bupa International products in Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. MediHelp International is registered with the Insurance Supervisory Commission under code 17808893 in Romania. Cover is provided by Bupa Insurance Ltd. and Bupa Insurance Services Ltd. Bupa Insurance Services Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 03829851. Bupa Insurance Ltd. is registered in England and Wales No. 3956433.

For more information please contact:

Lidia Pitulea, Public Advisor

The Public Advisors, Tel: 0733 300 777, E-mail: lidia.pitulea@publicadvisors.ro

Social networking sites may change brain structure

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