Brain activity and desire for Internet video game play

Abstract Objective Recent studies have suggested that the brain circuitry mediating cue-induced desire for video games is similar to that elicited by cues related to drugs and alcohol. We hypothesized that desire for Internet video games during cue presentation would activate similar brain regions t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comprehensive psychiatry 2011, Vol.52 (1), p.88-95
Main Authors: Han, Doug Hyun, Bolo, Nicolas, Daniels, Melissa A, Arenella, Lynn, Lyoo, In Kyoon, Renshaw, Perry F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Anxiety
Brain
Brain - physiology
Cerebellum - physiology
Children & youth
Computer & video games
Cues
Frontal Lobe - physiology
Hippocampus - physiology
Humans
Internet
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neurology
Parietal Lobe - physiology
Psychiatry
Thalamus - physiology
Video Games - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Objective Recent studies have suggested that the brain circuitry mediating cue-induced desire for video games is similar to that elicited by cues related to drugs and alcohol. We hypothesized that desire for Internet video games during cue presentation would activate similar brain regions to those that have been linked with craving for drugs or pathologic gambling. Methods This study involved the acquisition of diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 19 healthy male adults (age, 18-23 years) following training and a standardized 10-day period of game play with a specified novel Internet video game, “War Rock” (K2 Network, Irvine, CA). Using segments of videotape consisting of 5 contiguous 90-second segments of alternating resting, matched control, and video game-related scenes, desire to play the game was assessed using a 7-point visual analogue scale before and after presentation of the videotape. Results In responding to Internet video game stimuli, compared with neutral control stimuli, significantly greater activity was identified in left inferior frontal gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus, right and left parietal lobe, right and left thalamus, and right cerebellum (false discovery rate
ISSN:0010-440X
1532-8384
DOI:10.1016/j.comppsych.2010.04.004