Altered reward processing in pathological computer gamers--ERP-results from a semi-natural gaming-design.
BACKGROUND
Internet Gaming Disorder has been added as a research diagnosis in section III for the DSM-V. Previous findings from neuroscientific research indicate an enhanced motivational attention toward cues related to computer games, similar to findings in substance-related addictions. On the other hand in clinical observational studies tolerance effects are reported by patients with Internet Gaming disorder. In the present study we investigated whether an enhanced motivational attention or tolerance effects are present in patients with Internet Gaming Disorder.


METHODS
A clinical sample from the Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions in Mainz, Germany was recruited, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder. In a semi-natural EEG design participants played a computer game during the recording of event-related potentials to assess reward processing.


RESULTS
The results indicated an attenuated P300 for patients with Internet Gaming Disorder in response to rewards in comparison to healthy controls, while the latency of N100 was prolonged and the amplitude of N100 was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the hypothesis that tolerance effects are present in patients with Internet Gaming Disorder, when actively playing computer games. In addition, the initial orienting toward the gaming reward is suggested to consume more capacity for patients with Internet Gaming Disorder, which has been similarly reported by other studies with other methodological background in disorders of substance-related addictions.
Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy University Medicine Mainz.
Eva C P
EC
Duven
Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy University Medicine Mainz.
Kai W
KW
Müller
Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy University Medicine Mainz.
Manfred E
ME
Beutel
Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy University Medicine Mainz.
Klaus
K
Wölfling
D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000502:physiology; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012201:Reward; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Event-related potentials; incentive sensitization; internet gaming disorder; pathological computer gaming; psychophysiological responses; tolerance