Graph analysis of diffusion tensor imaging-based connectome in young men with internet gaming disorder

Although recent evidence suggests that dysfunctional brain organization is associated with internet gaming disorder (IGD), the neuroanatomical alterations related to IGD remain unclear. In this diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study, we aimed to examine alterations in white matter (WM) structural connectomes and their association with IGD characteristics in 47 young men with IGD and in 34 well-matched healthy controls. Two approaches [namely, network-based statistics (NBS) and graph theoretical measures] were applied to assess differences in the specific topological features of the networks and to identify the potential changes in the topological properties, respectively. Furthermore, we explored the association between the alterations and the severity of internet addiction. An NBS analysis revealed widespread alterations of the cortico-limbic-striatal structural connectivity networks in young people with IGD: (1) an increased subnet1 comprising the insula and the regions responsible for visual, auditory, and sensorimotor functions and (2) two decreased subnet2 and subnet3 comprising the insula, striatum, and limbic regions. Additional correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between the mean fractional anisotropy- (FA-) weighted connectivity strength of subnet1 and internet addiction test (IAT) scores in the IGD group. The present study extends our knowledge of the neuroanatomical correlates in IGD and highlights the role of the cortico-limbic-striatal network in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this disorder.