Impaired Interference Control in Individuals With Internet Addiction: Evidence From Event-Related Potentials and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is associated with cognitive control deficits.
• The specific behavioral and neural mechanisms of these impairments are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interference control mechanisms in individuals with IAD using behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) measures.
• To compare cognitive performance and neural activity between individuals with IAD and healthy controls (HC).

Main Methods:

• Classic and modified Stroop tasks were administered to participants with IAD and HC.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded to analyze event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP).
• Analysis focused on reaction times (RTs), medial frontal negativity (MFN), conflict slow potential (SP), and oscillatory dynamics (theta, beta2, gamma bands).

Main Results:

• Individuals with IAD exhibited significantly longer RTs on incongruent Stroop trials, particularly under increased cognitive demands.
• Distinct ERP patterns (reduced MFN and SP) and ERSP dynamics (reduced theta, increased beta2/gamma activity) were observed in the IAD group.
• These findings indicate deficits in conflict detection and resolution, alongside compensatory neural mechanisms in IAD.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive slowing in IAD is exacerbated by tasks requiring greater interference control.
• The study highlights executive dysfunction and specific neural alterations in individuals with IAD.
• Findings contribute to understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of Internet addiction disorder.