Dorsal and ventral striatal functional connectivity shift with the medial frontal gyrus in internet gaming disorder: Potential mechanisms underlying addictive engagement

AbstractBackgroundAnimal models suggest transitions from non-addictive to addictive behavioral engagement are associated with ventral-to-dorsal striatal shifts. However, few studies have examined such features in humans, especially in internet gaming disorder (IGD), a behavioral addiction.MethodsFour-hundred-and-eighteen subjects (174 with IGD; 244 with recreational game use (RGU)) were recruited. Resting-state fMRI data were collected and functional connectivity (FC) analyses were performed based on ventral and dorsal striatal seeds. Correlations and follow-up spectrum dynamic causal model (spDCM) analyses were performed to examine relationships between ventral/dorsal striatum to medial frontal gyrus (MFG) and IGD severity. Longitudinal data from 40 subjects (22 IGD; 18 RGU) were also analysed to investigate further.ResultsInteractions were observed between group (IGD, RGU) and striatal regions (ventral, dorsal). IGD relative to RGU subjects showed lower ventral-striatum-to-MFG (mostly involving supplementary motor area (SMA)) and higher dorsal-striatum-to-MFG functional connectivity. spDCM revealed that left dorsal-striatum-to-MFG connectivity was correlated with IGD severity. Longitudinal data further support for ventral-to-dorsal striatal MFG relationships in IGD.ConclusionsConsistent with animal models of substance addictions, ventral-to-dorsal striatal transitions in involvement coritico-striatal circuitry may underlie IGD and its severity. These findings suggest possible neurobiological mechanisms that may be targeted in treatments for IGD.

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Dorsal and ventral striatal functional connectivity shifts play a potential role in internet gaming disorder

Communications Biology ◽

10.1038/s42003-021-02395-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Guang-Heng Dong ◽

Haohao Dong ◽

Min Wang ◽

Jialin Zhang ◽

Weiran Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Longitudinal Data ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

Dynamic Causal Model ◽

Changes Over Time

AbstractAnimal models suggest transitions from non-addictive to addictive behavioral engagement are associated with ventral-to-dorsal striatal shifts. However, few studies have examined such features in humans, especially in internet gaming disorder (IGD), a proposed behavioral addiction. We recruited 418 subjects (174 with IGD; 244 with recreational game use (RGU)). Resting-state fMRI data were collected and functional connectivity analyses were performed based on ventral and dorsal striatal seeds. Correlations and follow-up spectrum dynamic causal model (spDCM) analyses were performed to examine relationships between the ventral/dorsal striatum and middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Longitudinal data were also analysed to investigate changes over time. IGD relative to RGU subjects showed lower ventral-striatum-to-MFG (mostly involving supplementary motor area (SMA)) and higher dorsal-striatum-to-MFG functional connectivity. spDCM revealed that left dorsal-striatum-to-MFG connectivity was correlated with IGD severity. Longitudinal data within IGD and RGU groups found greater dorsal striatal connectivity with the MFG in IGD versus RGU subjects. These findings suggest similar ventral-to-dorsal striatal shifts may operate in IGD and traditional addictions.

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Altered Functional Connectivity of the Insula and Nucleus Accumbens in Internet Gaming Disorder: A Resting State fMRI Study

European Addiction Research ◽

10.1159/000440716 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 192-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Chiao-Yun Chen ◽

Ju-Yu Yen ◽

Peng-Wei Wang ◽

Gin-Chung Liu ◽

Cheng-Fang Yen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Frontal Lobe ◽

Resting State ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

Left Dlpfc ◽

The Right

Aims: A possible addiction mechanism has been represented by altered functional connectivity (FC) in the resting state. The aim of this study was to evaluate the FCs of the insula and nucleus accumbens among subjects with Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Methods: We recruited 30 males with IGD and 30 controls and evaluated their FC using functional magnetic imaging scanning under resting, a state with relaxation, closed eyes, with inducement to think of nothing systematically, become motionless, and instructed not to fall asleep. Results: Subjects with IGD had a lower FC with the left insula over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and orbital frontal lobe and a higher FC with the insula with the contralateral insula than controls. The inter-hemispheric insula connectivity positively correlated with impulsivity. Further, they had lower FC with the left nucleus accumbens over the left DLPFC and with the right nucleus accumbens over the left DLPFC, and insula and a higher FC with that over the right precuneus. Conclusion: The elevated inter-hemispheric insula FC is found to be associated with impulsivity and might explain why it is involved in IGD. The attenuated frontostriatal suggests that the emotion-driven gaming urge through nucleus accumbens could not be well regulated by the frontal lobe of subjects with IGD.

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Decreased Prefrontal Lobe Interhemispheric Functional Connectivity in Adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder: A Primary Study Using Resting-State fMRI

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0118733 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. e0118733 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Yao Wang ◽

Yan Yin ◽

Ya-wen Sun ◽

Yan Zhou ◽

Xue Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Resting State ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Primary Study ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

Prefrontal Lobe

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Resting-State fMRI Study of ADHD and Internet Gaming Disorder

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054719883022 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 108705471988302 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Doug Hyun Han ◽

Sujin Bae ◽

Jisun Hong ◽

Sun Mi Kim ◽

Yong Don Son ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

Fmri Study ◽

One Year

Objective: We aimed to understand whether Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) share similar brain functional connectivity (FC) between the frontal and subcortices. Method: We compared changes in clinical symptoms and brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 26 patients with ADHD but without IGD, 29 patients with ADHD and IGD, and 20 patients with IGD but without ADHD. Results: The functional connectivity (FC) from the cortex to subcortex in both groups was decreased relative to that in age-matched healthy participants. One-year treatment for ADHD and IGD symptoms increased the FC between the cortex and subcortex in all ADHD participants and all IGD participants with good prognoses compared with those in all ADHD participants and all IGD participants with poor prognoses. Conclusion: Patients with ADHD and IGD shared similar brain FC at baseline and FC changes in response to treatment.

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