Page 21 - ITPS-7-4

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Neurobiology of gaming disorder

regions, including the striatum (including NA), 6. Conclusion
8,65
superior/medial frontal cortex, OFC, ACC, DLPFC,
8
8
8,76
8,76
parahippocampal gyrus, precuneus, and posterior GD is characterized by persistent gaming behavior
76

76
76
cingulate cortex, when exposed to game stimuli. These that leads to impairment in various life domains.
Neurobiological investigations have revealed alterations
activations were positively correlated with subjective in the brain reward circuit, fronto-striatal circuit,
gaming urges. These brain regions are similar to those and executive control among individuals with GD.
76
associated with craving in SUD.
These changes parallel those observed in SUD and
In a study comparing cue-reactivity among individuals are associated with heightened sensitivity to gaming-
with GD, subjects with remitted GD for longer than related cues, increased cravings, and impaired decision-
6 months, and normal controls, the GD group scored making abilities. These neurobiological findings provide
76
higher on craving than the remission group. Furthermore, insights into the treatment of GD. Pharmacological
the GD group exhibited greater activation in the right interventions that modulate the dopaminergic system,
DLPFC, left parahippocampus, and left middle temporal such as naltrexone or bupropion, may reduce cravings
gyrus when exposed to gaming cues, in contrast to the by targeting neurobiological pathways such as the
remission group. This study suggests that these activated reward circuit. Approaches to treatment for diminished
areas could serve as potential markers for gaming response inhibition and impaired decision-making
addiction. A longitudinal study was conducted on RGU may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT
who subsequently developed GD. The study showed can help individuals recognize maladaptive cognitions
77
that the GD group exhibited relatively increased bilateral and manage cravings. Moreover, CBT can facilitate a
lentiform nucleus activation following a forced break transition from short-term decision-making to longer-
from gaming compared with the remaining RGU group. term goals or more adaptive decision-making. Research
Significant correlations were observed between the on GD is still in its early stages, and further in-depth
activation of the right lentiform nucleus and self-reported studies across various fields are required in the future.
craving for gaming cues during periods of deprivation in In particular, longitudinal neurobiological studies
the GD group. The evidence indicates that activation of the are important, as well as studies to understand the
lentiform nucleus in response to cues related to deprivation interactions with comorbid conditions. The results of
may be a predictor of the transition from RGU to GD. these studies will provide the fundamental knowledge
Incentive salience amplifies the significance of needed to enhance understanding of GD and to develop
substance-related stimuli compared to other stimuli, effective prevention and treatment strategies.
leading to an attentional bias toward these cues. In a Acknowledgments
study comparing cue-related attentional bias between GD,
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and controls, None.
78
individuals with GD exhibited increased late positive Funding
potential (LPP) amplitude in response to game-related
pictures, indicating the enhanced salience of game-related None.
cues. The GD group did not exhibit LPP changes in
response to OCD-related cues. The LPP is a component of Conflict of interest
the ERP that arises following specific stimuli and represents The author declares that she has no competing interests.
motivated attention to salient stimuli. Another study
79
used ERP to observe changes in the brain during face Author contributions
recognition in a group of subjects with GD. Participants This is a single-authored article.
were presented with images of both human faces and
cartoon faces resembling characters from a game. The Ethics approval and consent to participate
study found that individuals with GD showed a significant
increase in P100 peak amplitude when presented with Not applicable.
cartoon faces compared to the control group. In addition, Consent for publication
within the GD group, cartoon faces elicited a larger P100
peak amplitude than human faces. The P100 component is Not applicable.
associated with the early automatic perception of stimuli.
These results suggest that individuals with GD have an Availability of data
attentional bias toward stimuli related to gaming. Not applicable.

Volume 7 Issue 4 (2024) 7 doi: 10.36922/itps.3326