Neurobiological Basis of Gaming Disorder Based on Neuroimaging and Neurophysiological Evidence

Abstract

Objectives ： Previous studies indicate that gaming disorder has similarities with substance use disorders or gambling disorder on a neurobiological basis. Thus, this review provides an overview of the neurobiology of gaming disorder. Methods ： We have reviewed the findings from neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies on Internet gaming disorder, problematic video game playing, or Internet addiction. Results ： The findings indicate that persistent and excessive game playing may lead to structural or functional brain changes in the mesolimbic dopamine system and the relationship between the striatum and other cortical regions, especially in the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Conclusion : The findings demonstrate that gaming disorder may be related with 1) reward circuit dysfunction associated with reward sensitivity, incentive salience, and craving, 2) weakening of pre-frontal control associated with response inhibition, error processing, and decision-making, and 3) strengthening of the sensorimotor network associated with habit formation. This also suggests that an imbalance between the bottom-up (reward circuitry) and top-down (executive control) systems may be related to the neurobiology of gaming disorder.