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. 2011 Jan-Feb;52(1):88-95.
doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2010.04.004.

Brain activity and desire for Internet video game play

Doug Hyun Han  1 , Nicolas Bolo, Melissa A Daniels, Lynn Arenella, In Kyoon Lyoo, Perry F Renshaw
Affiliations

Brain activity and desire for Internet video game play

Doug Hyun Han et al. Compr Psychiatry. 2011 Jan-Feb.

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 <0.05, P < .009243). Self-reported desire was positively correlated with the β values of left inferior frontal gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus, and right and left thalamus. Compared with the general players, subjects who played more Internet video game showed significantly greater activity in right medial frontal lobe, right and left frontal precentral gyrus, right parietal postcentral gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, and left parietal precuneus gyrus. Controlling for total game time, reported desire for the Internet video game in the subjects who played more Internet video game was positively correlated with activation in right medial frontal lobe and right parahippocampal gyrus.

Discussion: The present findings suggest that cue-induced activation to Internet video game stimuli may be similar to that observed during cue presentation in persons with substance dependence or pathologic gambling. In particular, cues appear to commonly elicit activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal, orbitofrontal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, and thalamus.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Cluster of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) change
General Linear Model, FDR<0.05, p<0.0009243; video game cue > neutral stimuli; Cluster1: Talairach x, y, z; 56, −35, 23; right parietal lobe, −59, −41, 23; left parietal lobe (Brodmann 7, 40), 32, −84, 23; right occipital lobe, −26, −84, 23; left occipital lobe, Cluster2: 38, −40, −29; right cerebellum anterior lobe, 39, −73, −29; left cerebellum posterior lobe, Cluster3: 14, −64, −39; right cerebellum semilunar lobe, Cluster4: 20, −31, 2; right thalamus; Cluster5: (−22, −25, 3; left thalamus, −38, −25, −17; left parahippocampal gyrus (Brodmann 36), Cluster6: −17, 19, 25; left inferior frontal gyrus (Brodmann 9).
Figure 2
Figure 2. The correlations between Cluster 4, Cluster 5, Cluster 6, and Craving (mean±0.95 C.I.)
A: Spearman correlation between the mean β value of voxels in cluster4 and craving, controlling total game time, r=0.47, p=0.04, right thalamus. B: Spearman correlation between mean β value of voxels in cluster 5 and craving, controlling total game time, r=0.62, p=0.01, left thalamus, left parahippocampal gyrus. C: Partial correlation between mean β value of voxels in cluster 6 and craving, controlling total game time, r=0.51, p=0.03, left inferior frontal gyrus.
Figure 3
Figure 3. The difference of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) between MIGP and GP
Random effects ANOVA Model, FDR<0.05, p<0.0001930; subjects who played more internet video game (MIGP) > general internet video game player (GP); Cluster 7: 5, 48, −13; right medial frontal gyrus, broadmann area (BA) 11, Cluster 8: 52, −13, 38, right frontal pre-central gyrus, Cluster 9: 20, −29, −5; right parahippocampal gyrus; Cluster 10: 6, −52, 66; right parietal post-central gyrus, Cluster 11: −25, −13, 52; left frontal pre-central gyrus, Cluster 12: −17, −99, −17; left occipital lingual gyrus
Figure 4
Figure 4. The correlations between Cluster 7, Cluster 9, and Craving (mean±0.95 C.I.)
A: Spearman correlation between the mean β value of voxels in cluster 7 and craving, controlling total game time, r=0.47, p=0.047, right medial frontal gyrus. B: Spearman correlation between mean β value of voxels in cluster 9 and craving, controlling total game time, r=0.52, p=0.028, right parahippocampal gyrus.
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