title: Reduced striatal dopamine D2 receptors in people with Internet addiction.
abstract: An increasing amount of research has suggested that Internet addiction is associated with abnormalities in the dopaminergic brain system. We hypothesized that Internet addiction would be associated with reduced levels of dopaminergic receptor availability in the striatum compared with controls. To test this hypothesis, a radiolabeled ligand [C]raclopride and positron emission tomography was used to assess dopamine D2 receptor binding potential in men with and without Internet addiction. Consistent with our prediction, individuals with Internet addiction showed reduced levels of dopamine D2 receptor availability in subdivisions of the striatum including the bilateral dorsal caudate and right putamen. This finding contributes to the understanding of neurobiological mechanism of Internet addiction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. sangheekim.ku@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sang Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Baik
authors.forename: Chang Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Su Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sang Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2