Title : A white matter structural network study in male youth with internet gaming disorder
Abstract:
Although prior evidence has demonstrated that dysfunctional brain organization is related to internet gaming disorder (IGD), the neuroanatomical basis underlying IGD remains unclear. In this diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study, we aimed to examine the alterations of white matter structural connectome and their association with Internet gaming characteristics in 47 male youths with IGD and 34 well-matched healthy controls. Two approaches (i.e., network-based statistic (NBS) and graph theoretical measures) were applied to assess differences in specific topological features of networks and identify potential changes in topologic properties, respectively. Furthermore, we explored the association between these alterations and internet addiction severity. The NBS analysis revealed a widespread alteration of cortico-limbic-striatal structural connectivity networks in the youths with IGD: 1) an increased subnetwork comprising insula and the regions responsible for visual, auditory and sensorimotor functions, and 2) two decreased subnetworks comprising insula, striatum and limbic regions. Further correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between the mean fractional anisotropy-weighted connectivity strength of this increased subnetwork and internet addiction test scores in IGD group. Noteworthy, the insula is observed in both increased and decreased subnetwork results, highlighting its role of understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying IGD. The present study extends our understanding of the underlying neuroanatomical correlates of IGD, which may help to explain why some youths are more vulnerable to indulge in playing games than others.
Audience Take away:
- We observed a widespread alteration of cortico-limbic-striatal structural connectivity networks.
- Further correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between the mean fractional anisotropy-weighted connectivity strength of this increased subnetwork and internet addiction test scores in IGD group. The present study extends our understanding of the underlying neuroanatomical correlates of IGD, which may help to explain why some youths are more vulnerable to indulge in playing games than others.
