Page 15 - ITPS-7-4

INNOSC Theranostics

and Pharmacological Sciences

REVIEW ARTICLE
Neurobiological understanding of gaming

disorder: A narrative review

Mi Jung Rho*
College of Health Science, Dankook University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of
Korea
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Behavioral Addictions: From Bench to Bedside)

Abstract

Gaming disorder (GD) is a mental disorder characterized by impaired control over
gaming behaviors and the continuation of gaming despite negative consequences,
resulting in functional impairments in important areas of life. Based on a growing
body of scientific evidence demonstrating its neurobiological similarities to
substance use disorders, GD is listed in the latest 5 edition of the Diagnostic and
th
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the 11 revision of the International
th
Classification of Diseases as a behavioral addiction. Therefore, this review aims to
understand the neurobiological underpinnings of GD by reviewing current literature
on structural and functional changes in the brain. It is suggested that prolonged
and excessive gaming may lead to alterations in the structure or function of the
brain reward circuit and fronto-striatal circuit, affecting both reward processing
and cognitive control. Changes in brain areas involved in executive function have
*Corresponding author: been observed, indicating that GD is associated with reduced response inhibition
Mi Jung Rho and impaired decision-making. Furthermore, brain regions associated with craving
(romy1018@naver.com, exhibit heightened activity in response to gaming stimuli. This review highlights the
rhomijung@dankook.ac.kr) significance of conducting further research to uncover the underlying mechanisms
Citation: Rho MJ. Neurobiological of GD and to develop effective interventions for its prevention and treatment.
understanding of gaming disorder:
A narrative review. INNOSC
Theranostics and Pharmacological Keywords: Internet gaming disorders; Neurobiology; Neuroimaging; Event-related
Sciences. 2024;7(4):3326.
doi: 10.36922/itps.3326 potentials; Electroencephalography
Received: March 31, 2024
Accepted: July 24, 2024
Published Online: October 15, 2024 1. Introduction
Copyright: © 2024 This Gaming is a popular leisure activity in modern society. Although most individuals
is an Open-Access article engage in gaming in a healthy manner, a subset of individuals exhibit problematic
distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons behaviors. Gaming disorder (GD) is defined as a behavioral addiction, with a
1,2
AttributionNoncommercial License, worldwide prevalence estimated at approximately 3%. The Diagnostic and Statistical
permitting all non-commercial use, Manual of Mental Disorders 5 edition proposed diagnostic criteria for Internet
th
distribution, and reproduction in any
3
medium, provided the original work gaming disorder, and the World Health Organization has formally listed GD in the
is properly cited. International Classification of Diseases 11 revision (ICD-11). GD has been classified
th
4
Publisher’s Note: AccScience as “disorders due to addictive behaviors” alongside gambling disorder, which is a
Publishing remains neutral with subcategory of “disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviors in the “mental,
regard to jurisdictional claims in 4
published maps and institutional behavioral, or neurodevelopmental disorders” category. The changes in the latest
affiliations versions of the international diagnostic manual and the revisions in the classification
Volume 7 Issue 4 (2024) 1 doi: 10.36922/itps.3326