title: New developments in brain research of internet and gaming disorder.
abstract: There is evidence that the neural mechanisms underlying Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) resemble those of drug addiction. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies of the resting state and measures of gray matter volume have shown that Internet game playing was associated with changes to brain regions responsible for attention and control, impulse control, motor function, emotional regulation, sensory-motor coordination. Furthermore, Internet game playing was associated with lower white matter density in brain regions that are involved in decision-making, behavioral inhibition and emotional regulation. Videogame playing involved changes in reward inhibitory mechanisms and loss of control. Structural brain imaging studies showed alterations in the volume of the ventral striatum that is an important part of the brain's reward mechanisms. Finally, videogame playing was associated with dopamine release similar in magnitude to those of drugs of abuse and lower dopamine transporter and dopamine receptor D2occupancy indicating sub-sensitivity of dopamine reward mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Behavioral Science and the Integrative Cognition and Brain Center, University of Ariel, Science Park, Ariel 40700, Israel. Electronic address: avivwe@ariel.ac.il.
authors.forename: Aviv
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.affiliation: The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Livny
authors.affiliation: Research Unit, Geha Mental Health Center, Beilinson Campus, P.O. Box 102, Petah Tiqva 49 100. Israel.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D016739:Behavior, Addictive; D001921:Brain; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Brain imaging; Dopamine; Internet gaming disorder; Reward; fMRI