Neurophysiological features of Internet gaming disorder and alcohol use disorder: a resting-state EEG study.

K-L Son,J S Kwon,J-S Choi,J Y Lee,J-A Lim,S Oh,S N Kim,S M Park,J Lee,D J Kim

doi:10.1038/tp.2015.124

Abstract

Despite that Internet gaming disorder (IGD) shares clinical, neuropsychological and personality characteristics with alcohol use disorder (AUD), little is known about the resting-state quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) patterns associated with IGD and AUD. Therefore, this study compared the QEEG patterns in patients with IGD with those in patients with AUD to identify unique neurophysiological characteristics that can be used as biomarkers of IGD. A total of 76 subjects (34 with IGD, 17 with AUD and 25 healthy controls) participated in this study. Resting-state, eyes-closed QEEGs were recorded, and the absolute and relative power of brains were analyzed. The generalized estimating equation showed that the IGD group had lower absolute beta power than AUD (estimate=5.319, P<0.01) and the healthy control group (estimate=2.612, P=0.01). The AUD group showed higher absolute delta power than IGD (estimate=7.516, P<0.01) and the healthy control group (estimate=7.179, P<0.01). We found no significant correlations between the severity of IGD and QEEG activities in patients with IGD. The current findings suggest that lower absolute beta power can be used as a potential trait marker of IGD. Higher absolute power in the delta band may be a susceptibility marker for AUD. This study clarifies the unique characteristics of IGD as a behavioral addiction, which is distinct from AUD, by providing neurophysiological evidence.

Highlights

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is defined as the repetitive use of Internet-based games leading to significant difficulties with functioning.[1]
Studies regarding the resting-state EEGs of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) have consistently reported that the EEG activities of these patients showed higher absolute beta power than did those of healthy controls
The present study investigated similarities or differences in the healthy controls, we found no significant evidence of higher eyes-closed resting-state quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) of patients with IGD or AUD and absolute beta power among patients with AUD compared with

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is defined as the repetitive use of Internet-based games leading to significant difficulties with functioning.[1]. Patients with IGD showed lower absolute beta power in the resting state, and this was correlated with the severity of impulsivity.[19] Lee et al.[20] examined the difference in the resting-state EEG activity of patients with Internet addiction and comorbid depression compared with patients with Internet addiction without depression. Studies regarding the resting-state EEGs of individuals with AUD have consistently reported that the EEG activities of these patients showed higher absolute beta power than did those of healthy controls. EEG recordings lasted for ities or differences of IGD with AUD and healthy controls by 10 min and included the following conditions: 4 min with eyes closed, examining the resting-state QEEG among treatment-seeking patients with IGD or AUD, and healthy controls. EEG recordings were visually inspected to eliminate eye muscle movements and other

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Findings

RESULTS