Neuroplastic changes in functional connectivity associated with problematic smartphone use in a data-driven rs-fMRI study

Previous studies revealed altered functional connections in problematic smartphone use (PSU), but most of the studies used self-reported data to assess PSU. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated neuroplastic changes in functional connectivity (FC) associated with PSU and objectively measured smartphone screen time (OMST) using data-driven multivariate pattern analysis. Based on our results, OMST had no direct effect on FC, but the FC between the somatomotor and the frontoparietal networks was negatively, while the connection between the somatomotor and limbic networks was positively associated with PSU. In addition, the FC between the default mode network and the limbic system was negatively, while connectivity between the default mode and the somatomotor networks was also negatively associated with PSU. In light of our findings, PSU may impair higher level brain networks, although future studies are highly needed to determine which specific objectively measured screen time activities might affect brain functions.