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Updated: Jul 28, 2025

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
Brain structural alterations in internet gaming disorder: Focus on the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system
Ming-Yuan Tian1, Xin-Yi Zhou2, Xiao-Yuan Liao2
1Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
Aims:
This study aimed to identify gray/white matter volume (GMV/WMV) alterations in Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), with a special focus on the subregions of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system and their clinical association.
Results:
Compared with healthy controls, IGDs showed bigger GMV in the bilateral caudate and the left nucleus accumbens (NAc), and bigger WMV in the inferior parietal lobule. The comparison of regions of interest (ROI) confirmed increased GMV in the bilateral caudate (including the dorsal anterior, body, and tail) and the left core of NAc in IGD, but no significant WMV alterations in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system. GMVs in the left lateral orbital gyrus of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were associated with craving for games, while GMVs in the left anterior insula, right NAc, right caudate, and right OFC were associated with self-control in IGD.
Conclusions:
IGD was accompanied by changed GMV, but not WMV, in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system. GMV in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system may contribute to impaired self-control and craving in IGD.
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