{"title":"Neurobiological mechanisms underlying internet gaming disorder\u2029.","authors":"Aviv Weinstein, Michel Lejoyeux","doi":"10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.2/aweinstein","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review summarizes studies on the neurobiological correlates of internet gaming disorder (IGD), presently the most direct approach to analyzing the impact of digital technology and the internet on brain mechanisms. Brain imaging studies have shown that IGD shares, to a large extent, neurobiological alterations that are typical for other addictions, such as: (i) activation in brain regions associated with reward, as evident from cue exposure and craving studies and neurotransmitter systems studies that indicate an involvement of dopamine-mediated reward mechanisms; (ii) reduced activity in impulse control areas and impaired decision making; and (iii) reduced functional connectivity in brain networks that are involved in cognitive control, executive function, motivation, and reward. Moreover, there are structural changes, mainly reduction in gray-matter volume and white-matter density. Comorbidity studies indicate that executive control networks in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase the susceptibility to develop IGD. Most importantly, this review also outlines findings that show the effects of excessive use of screens, here referring to the playing of computer games, which activate many brain regions associated with cognitive, motor, and sensory function and not directly involved in other forms of addiction. This review describes and summarizes comprehensively the neurobiological correlates of addictive internet use in adolescents and young adults.\u2029.</p>","PeriodicalId":54343,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience","volume":"22 2","pages":"113-126"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3000,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/38/fd/DialoguesClinNeurosci-22-113.PMC7366941.pdf","citationCount":"40","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.2/aweinstein","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"Medicine","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 40
Abstract
This review summarizes studies on the neurobiological correlates of internet gaming disorder (IGD), presently the most direct approach to analyzing the impact of digital technology and the internet on brain mechanisms. Brain imaging studies have shown that IGD shares, to a large extent, neurobiological alterations that are typical for other addictions, such as: (i) activation in brain regions associated with reward, as evident from cue exposure and craving studies and neurotransmitter systems studies that indicate an involvement of dopamine-mediated reward mechanisms; (ii) reduced activity in impulse control areas and impaired decision making; and (iii) reduced functional connectivity in brain networks that are involved in cognitive control, executive function, motivation, and reward. Moreover, there are structural changes, mainly reduction in gray-matter volume and white-matter density. Comorbidity studies indicate that executive control networks in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase the susceptibility to develop IGD. Most importantly, this review also outlines findings that show the effects of excessive use of screens, here referring to the playing of computer games, which activate many brain regions associated with cognitive, motor, and sensory function and not directly involved in other forms of addiction. This review describes and summarizes comprehensively the neurobiological correlates of addictive internet use in adolescents and young adults. .
期刊介绍:
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience (DCNS) endeavors to bridge the gap between clinical neuropsychiatry and the neurosciences by offering state-of-the-art information and original insights into pertinent clinical, biological, and therapeutic aspects. As an open access journal, DCNS ensures accessibility to its content for all interested parties. Each issue is curated to include expert reviews, original articles, and brief reports, carefully selected to offer a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape in clinical neuroscience. Join us in advancing knowledge and fostering dialogue in this dynamic field.