Video games as stimuli in neuroimaging studies: a minireview

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Video games simulate real-life environments, enabling active participation.
• Advancements in gaming offer novel tools for neuroimaging research.
• Understanding the neural basis of perception, cognition, and emotion is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review neuroimaging studies utilizing video games.
• To elucidate the neural underpinnings of perceptual, cognitive, and emotional functions.
• To explore the potential of video games in studying active agency and flow states.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during computerized behavioral economic games.
• Analysis of brain activity differences in first-person shooter games (winning vs. losing).
• Review of studies on reward processing, goal pursuit, and emotional responses.

Main Results:

• Identified brain structures involved in mutual cooperation and responses to unfair offers.
• Revealed distinct brain activity patterns during winning versus losing in video games.
• Demonstrated video games' utility in studying reward, cognition, agency, and flow states.

Conclusions:

• Video games provide a powerful platform for neuroimaging research.
• Studies highlight the neural basis of complex cognitive and emotional processes during gameplay.
• Future research can further leverage video games to explore the neural correlates of human experience.