Effects of Online Games Among Selected Collegeg Students
Brain Sci. 2012, 2, 347-374; doi:10.3390/brainsci2030347
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brain sciences
ISSN 2076-3425 www.mdpi.com/journal/brainsci/ Review
Internet and Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Literature
Review of Neuroimaging Studies
Daria J. Kuss * and Mark D. Griffiths
International Gaming Research Unit, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4BU, UK;
E-Mail: mark.griffiths@ntu.ac.uk
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: daria.kuss@ntu.ac.uk;
Tel.: +44-789-111-94-90.
Received: 28 June 2012; in revised form: 24 August 2012 / Accepted: 28 August 2012 /
Published: 5 September 2012
Abstract: In the past decade, research has accumulated suggesting that excessive Internet use can lead to the development of a behavioral addiction. Internet addiction has been considered as a serious threat to mental health and the excessive use of the Internet has been linked to a variety of negative psychosocial consequences. The aim of this review is to identify all empirical studies to date that used neuroimaging techniques to shed light upon the emerging mental health problem of Internet and gaming addiction from a neuroscientific perspective. Neuroimaging studies offer an advantage over traditional survey and behavioral research because with this method, it is possible to distinguish particular brain areas that are involved in the development and maintenance of addiction.
A systematic literature search was conducted, identifying 18 studies. These studies provide compelling evidence for the similarities between different types of addictions, notably substance-related addictions and Internet and gaming addiction, on a variety of levels. On the molecular level, Internet addiction is characterized by an overall reward deficiency that entails decreased dopaminergic activity. On the level of neural circuitry, Internet and gaming addiction led to neuroadaptation and structural changes that occur as a consequence of prolonged increased
OPEN ACCESS
brain sciences
ISSN 2076-3425 www.mdpi.com/journal/brainsci/ Review
Internet and Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Literature
Review of Neuroimaging Studies
Daria J. Kuss * and Mark D. Griffiths
International Gaming Research Unit, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4BU, UK;
E-Mail: mark.griffiths@ntu.ac.uk
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: daria.kuss@ntu.ac.uk;
Tel.: +44-789-111-94-90.
Received: 28 June 2012; in revised form: 24 August 2012 / Accepted: 28 August 2012 /
Published: 5 September 2012
Abstract: In the past decade, research has accumulated suggesting that excessive Internet use can lead to the development of a behavioral addiction. Internet addiction has been considered as a serious threat to mental health and the excessive use of the Internet has been linked to a variety of negative psychosocial consequences. The aim of this review is to identify all empirical studies to date that used neuroimaging techniques to shed light upon the emerging mental health problem of Internet and gaming addiction from a neuroscientific perspective. Neuroimaging studies offer an advantage over traditional survey and behavioral research because with this method, it is possible to distinguish particular brain areas that are involved in the development and maintenance of addiction.
A systematic literature search was conducted, identifying 18 studies. These studies provide compelling evidence for the similarities between different types of addictions, notably substance-related addictions and Internet and gaming addiction, on a variety of levels. On the molecular level, Internet addiction is characterized by an overall reward deficiency that entails decreased dopaminergic activity. On the level of neural circuitry, Internet and gaming addiction led to neuroadaptation and structural changes that occur as a consequence of prolonged increased
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