title: Enhanced functional connectivity and increased gray matter volume of insula related to action video game playing.
abstract: Research has shown that distinct insular subregions are associated with particular neural networks (e.g., attentional and sensorimotor networks). Based on the evidence that playing action video games (AVGs) facilitates attentional and sensorimotor functions, this study examined the relation between AVG experience and the plasticity of insular subregions and the functional networks therein that are related to attentional and sensorimotor functions. By comparing AVG experts and amateurs, we found that AVG experts had enhanced functional connectivity and grey matter volume in insular subregions. Furthermore, AVG experts exhibited increased functional connectivity between the attentional and sensorimotor networks, and the experience-related enhancement was predominantly evident in the left insula, an understudied brain area. Thus, AVG playing may enhance functional integration of insular subregions and the pertinent networks therein.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory For NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
authors.forename: Diankun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory For NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory For NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
authors.forename: Dongbo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: 1] Key Laboratory For NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China [2] ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Macquarie University, NSW 2109 Sydney, Australia [3] School of Linguistics and Literature, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
authors.forename: Weiyi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory For NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory For NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory For NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
authors.forename: Dezhong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D001931:Brain Mapping; D066128:Gray Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D018910:Video Games; D055815:Young Adult