Opposing associations of Internet Use Disorder symptom domains with structural and functional organization of the striatum: A dimensional neuroimaging approach

Abstract

BackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests brain structural and functional alterations in Internet Use Disorder (IUD). However, conclusions are strongly limited due to the retrospective case-control design of the studies, small samples, and the focus on general rather than symptom-specific approaches.MethodsWe here employed a dimensional multi-methodical MRI-neuroimaging design in a final sample of n = 203 subjects to examine associations between levels of IUD and its symptom-dimensions (loss of control/time management, craving/social problems) with brain structure, resting state and task-based (pain empathy, affective go/no-go) brain function.ResultsAlthough the present sample covered the entire range of IUD, including normal, problematic as well as pathological levels, general IUD symptom load was not associated with brain structural or functional alterations. However, the symptom-dimensions exhibited opposing associations with the intrinsic and structural organization of the brain, such that loss of control/time management exhibited negative associations with intrinsic striatal networks and hippocampal volume, while craving/social problems exhibited a positive association with intrinsic striatal networks and caudate volume.ConclusionsOur findings provided the first evidence for IUD symptom-domain specific associations with progressive alterations in the intrinsic structural and functional organization of the brain, particularly of striatal systems involved in reward, habitual and cognitive control processes.

Neuroimaging the effects of smartphone (over-)use on brain function and structure—a review on the current state of MRI-based findings and a roadmap for future research

“…These regions partly resemble regions that have been identified in previous studies examining brain volumetric alterations in substance and behavioral addictions (see e.g. (Klugah-Brown et al, 2021;Koester et al, 2012;Qin et al, 2020;Yu et al, 2022;M. Zhang et al, 2021).…”

“…Initial studies have begun to determine separable and common brain changes associated with different facets of general internet gaming behavior (e.g. (Yu et al, 2022) and few of the here reviewed SmUD studies did this. Moreover, we mention that several studies are hard to compare because different inventories to assess SmUD have been applied, as no agreement exists regarding a conceptual framework (see Billieux's framework to understand problematic smartphone use; (Billieux, 2012).…”

“…These regions partly resemble regions that have been identified in previous works examining brain volumetric alterations in substance and behavioral addictions (e.g. see the following studies: Klugah-Brown et al ., 2021 ; Koester et al ., 2012 ; Qin et al ., 2020 ; Yu et al ., 2022 ; Zhang et al ., 2021 ). However, none of the regions consistently replicated across SmUD studies and, together with the lack of standardized SmUD assessments and brain structural analyses strategies, the previous studies currently do not allow to draw clear conclusions with respect to the specific regions that might show brain structural alterations associated with excessive smartphone use.…”

“…Within the context of the previous literature on the role of dysregulations in the intrinsic functional organization of the brain in addiction, it is conceivable that alterations in specific systems may promote different symptomatic features. Alterations in salience and executive control systems may, for instance, underly dysregulations in several affective and cognitive domains, while alterations in the striato-frontal organization may reflect the development of compulsive behavior and alterations in the default mode network may promote dysfunctional self-related decision-making (Taebi et al ., 2022 ; Tolomeo & Yu, 2022 ; Yan et al ., 2021 ; Yu et al ., 2022 ; Zhang & Volkow, 2019 ; X. Zhou et al ., 2019 ; Zimmermann et al ., 2018 ). However, clear conclusions with respect to consistent and robust effects of excessive smartphone use or SmUD on the functional architecture of the brain remain to be determined.…”

The Mediatory Role of the Boredom and Loneliness Dimensions in the Development of Problematic Internet Use

“…Therefore, preventive strategies should be performed and structured in order to early diagnose high-risk individuals, in order to implement early interventions which could modify the psychopathological derive. In addition, as many studies on the neurobiological underpinnings of PIU have been recently developed demonstrating how technology may determine structural and functional brain changes [76][77][78][79], one could argue how it could be interesting to evaluate how boredom and loneliness dimensions could differently be associated with specific structural and functional brain areas in PIU subjects, compared to non-PIU subjects or other addictions. In fact, in PIU subjects, brain alterations have been described, such as white matter integrity of the corpus callosum [76], an increased gray matter volume of orbitofrontal cortex [77], striatum [78], anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and supplementary motor area [79].…”