Altered Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens and Amygdala in Cyber Addiction: A Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Abstract

Objective: Cyber addiction, which is more vulnerable in adolescents, is defined as the excessive use of computers and the Internet that causes serious psychological, social, and physical problems. In this study, we investigated the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in adolescents with cyber addiction. Methods: We collected and analyzed resting-state functional neuroimaging data of 20 patients with cyber addiction, aged 13−18 years, and 27 healthy controls. Based on previous studies, the seed regions included the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, insula, hippocampus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and the ventral tegmental area. Seed-to-voxel analyses were performed to investigate the differences between patients and healthy controls. A correlation analysis between rsFC and cyber addiction severity was also performed. Results: Patients with cyber addiction showed the following characteristics: increased positive rsFC between the left insular−right middle temporal gyrus; increased positive rsFC between the right hippocampus−right precentral gyrus; increased positive rsFC between the right amygdala−right precentral gyrus and right parietal operculum cortex; increased negative rsFC between the left nucleus accumbens−right cerebellum crus II and right cerebellum VI. Conclusion: Adolescents with cyber addiction show altered functional connectivity during the resting state. The findings of this study may help us better understand the neuropathology of cyber addiction in adolescents.

The Effects of Digital Addiction on Brain Function and Structure of Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

“…Last but not least, in relation to internet addiction disorder (IAD/IA), Study 14 [ 43 ], Study 24 [ 44 ], Study 25 [ 45 ], and Study 26 [ 46 ] all tested the FC of adolescents with IAD. Study 14 [ 43 ] and Study 24 [ 44 ] reported both the inter-hemispheric connections and intra-hemispheric connections.…”

“…Last but not least, in relation to internet addiction disorder (IAD/IA), Study 14 [ 43 ], Study 24 [ 44 ], Study 25 [ 45 ], and Study 26 [ 46 ] all tested the FC of adolescents with IAD. Study 14 [ 43 ] and Study 24 [ 44 ] reported both the inter-hemispheric connections and intra-hemispheric connections. In particular, Study 14 [ 43 ] found increased positive rsFC between the left insular−right middle temporal gyrus, the right hippocampus−right precentral gyrus, the right amygdala−right precentral gyrus, and the right parietal operculum cortex.…”

“…Study 14 [ 43 ] and Study 24 [ 44 ] reported both the inter-hemispheric connections and intra-hemispheric connections. In particular, Study 14 [ 43 ] found increased positive rsFC between the left insular−right middle temporal gyrus, the right hippocampus−right precentral gyrus, the right amygdala−right precentral gyrus, and the right parietal operculum cortex. Study 24 [ 44 ] reported a reduced inter-hemispheric FC in the right frontoparietal network (FPN), whereas increased intra-hemispheric FC of the left FPN was found in adolescents with IA.…”

“… Neuroimaging finding of the impact of digital addiction on brain [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. …”

“…et al, 2014 [ 37 ] Republic of Korea fMRI AIA = 15 NA = 15 E: 13.83 ± 0.83 C: 13.83 ± 0.83 / IA Categorized into “adolescent internet addicts(score > 50)” and “normal adolescents (score< 40)” by the Korean; Adolescent Internet Addiction Scale (K-AIAS) and the Internet Game Addiction Diagnostic Scale (IGADS) (1) a score of short-form Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III < 80; (2) major psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, affective disorder, conduct disorder; (3) substance-related disorders by Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia—Present and Lifetime Version—Korean Version. 14 Ko, M. et al, 2023 [ 43 ] Republic of Korea rsfMRI E: n = 20 C: n = 27 13–18years old E: 14.80 ± 1.64 C: 15.96 ± 1.02 M: 19 F: 28 cyber addiction Diagnosed with cyber addiction using the modified criteria for Internet gaming disorders in Section III of the DSM-5 (1) IQ < 70; (2) with a family history of psychosis or personality disorder; (3) with a psychiatric or neurological impairment and head trauma resulting in loss of consciousness (for the patients no major psychiatric disorders); (4) with history of smoking and alcohol intake; (5) without a history of psychotropic prescription. 15 Kwak, K.H.…”