Abstract
There are a growing number of studies on structural and functional brain mechanisms underlying Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Recent functional magnetic resonance imaging studies showed that IGD adolescents and adults had reduced gray matter volume in regions associated with attention motor coordination executive function and perception. Adolescents with IGD showed lower white matter (WM) integrity measures in several brain regions that are involved in decision-making, behavioral inhibition, and emotional regulation. IGD adolescents had also disruption in the functional connectivity in areas responsible for learning memory and executive function, processing of auditory, visual, and somatosensory stimuli and relay of sensory and motor signals. IGD adolescents also had decreased functional connectivity of PFC-striatal circuits, increased risk-taking choices, and impaired ability to control their impulses similar to other impulse control disorders. Recent studies indicated that altered executive control mechanisms in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) would be a predisposition for developing IGD. Finally, patients with IGD have also shown an increased functional connectivity of several executive control brain regions that may related to comorbidity with ADHD and depression. The behavioral addiction model argues that IGD shows the features of excessive use despite adverse consequences, withdrawal phenomena, and tolerance that characterize substance use disorders. The evidence supports the behavioral addiction model of IGD by showing structural and functional changes in the mechanisms of reward and craving (but not withdrawal) in IGD. Future studies need to investigate WM density and functional connectivity in IGD in order to validate these findings. Furthermore, more research is required about the similarity in neurochemical and neurocognitive brain circuits in IGD and comorbid conditions such as ADHD and depression.
Highlights
The Diagnosis and Brain Imaging of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)Internet gaming disorder involves excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges, or behaviors regarding computer and videogame play that lead to impairment or distress [1]
The behavioral addiction model argues that IGD shows the features of excessive use despite adverse consequences, withdrawal phenomena, and tolerance that characterize substance use disorders
Participants with IGD showed reduced connectivity in several areas that are responsible for executive function, cognitive control, sensory processing motivation and reward. Some of these regions are common to IGD and substance use disorders but others are associated with general mechanisms of learning, memory and information processing that are not specific to IGD and substance use disorder, so a better selection is required and no inferences on causality can be drawn from present studies
Summary
Internet gaming disorder involves excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges, or behaviors regarding computer and videogame play that lead to impairment or distress [1]. IGD participants had lower GMD in brain regions that are involved in decision-making, behavioral inhibition and emotional regulation and reduced WM density in the inferior frontal gyrus, insula, amygdala, and anterior cingulate [27] These studies indicate preliminary findings of structural changes in gray matter volume and WM density in IGD. Participants with IGD showed reduced connectivity in several areas that are responsible for executive function, cognitive control, sensory processing motivation and reward Some of these regions are common to IGD and substance use disorders but others are associated with general mechanisms of learning, memory and information processing that are not specific to IGD and substance use disorder, so a better selection is required and no inferences on causality can be drawn from present studies.
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