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Published on: November 9, 2019
Resting-state beta and gamma activity in Internet addiction
Jung-Seok Choi1, Su Mi Park, Jaewon Lee
1Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Individuals with Internet addiction exhibit altered resting-state brain activity, specifically lower beta and higher gamma waves, linked to impulsivity. These neurophysiological differences may indicate markers for Internet addiction pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Internet addiction is characterized by impaired impulse control.
- Previous research on neurophysiological activity in Internet addiction focused on cognitive tasks, leaving resting-state activity unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spontaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) activity in the eyes-closed resting-state in individuals with Internet addiction.
- To examine the relationship between resting-state EEG activity in beta and gamma bands and impulsivity in this population.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 21 drug-naïve individuals with Internet addiction and 20 healthy controls, matched for age, sex, and IQ.
- Assessed Internet addiction severity using Young's Internet Addiction Test and impulsivity via the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 and a stop-signal task.
- Recorded resting-state EEG (eyes closed) and analyzed absolute and relative power in beta and gamma bands.
Main Results:
- The Internet addiction group demonstrated higher impulsivity and reduced inhibitory control compared to controls.
- Individuals with Internet addiction exhibited significantly lower absolute power in the beta band (p < 0.01) and higher absolute power in the gamma band (p < 0.01) during resting-state EEG.
- Observed EEG alterations were significantly correlated with both the severity of Internet addiction and the degree of impulsivity.
Conclusions:
- Resting-state fast-wave brain activity, specifically in beta and gamma bands, is associated with the impulsivity characteristic of Internet addiction.
- These distinct EEG patterns may serve as potential neurobiological markers for understanding the underlying pathophysiology of Internet addiction.
