Altered Functional Connectivity of the Insula and Nucleus Accumbens in Internet Gaming Disorder: A Resting State fMRI Study

Abstract

Aims: A possible addiction mechanism has been represented by altered functional connectivity (FC) in the resting state. The aim of this study was to evaluate the FCs of the insula and nucleus accumbens among subjects with Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Methods: We recruited 30 males with IGD and 30 controls and evaluated their FC using functional magnetic imaging scanning under resting, a state with relaxation, closed eyes, with inducement to think of nothing systematically, become motionless, and instructed not to fall asleep. Results: Subjects with IGD had a lower FC with the left insula over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and orbital frontal lobe and a higher FC with the insula with the contralateral insula than controls. The inter-hemispheric insula connectivity positively correlated with impulsivity. Further, they had lower FC with the left nucleus accumbens over the left DLPFC and with the right nucleus accumbens over the left DLPFC, and insula and a higher FC with that over the right precuneus. Conclusion: The elevated inter-hemispheric insula FC is found to be associated with impulsivity and might explain why it is involved in IGD. The attenuated frontostriatal suggests that the emotion-driven gaming urge through nucleus accumbens could not be well regulated by the frontal lobe of subjects with IGD.

Internet gaming disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review

“…Impulsive behaviours are associated with deficits of frontostriatal networks, interhemispheric connectivity, and an altered structure of the insula . Dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex and disrupted frontostriatal connectivity indicate that the frontal lobe fails to regulate emotion‐driven urges .…”

Boredom proneness and its correlation with Internet addiction and Internet activities in adolescents with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…Another fMRI study found that boredom was related to the activities of insula and caudate nucleus [31]. Moreover, fMRI studies also found that inter‐hemispheric insula [32], amygdala–insula [33], amygdala–frontal [33], and frontostriatal [32] functional connections were associated with Internet gaming disorder. Insula, amygdala, and bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex that are responsible for emotional regulation, impulse control and motivation are involving in both boredom proneness and Internet addiction.…”

Psychological and Neurobiological Correlates of Food Addiction

“…Higher levels of impulsivity may be associated with hedonic eating (ie, eating after energy requirements have been met) patterns (Nederkoorn, Smulders, Havermans, Roefs, & Jansen, 2006). Impairments in impulse control mechanisms contribute to many disorders, including binge eating, bulimia nervosa, drug addiction, alcoholism, and Internet gaming (Alhassoon, Sorg, Stern, Hall, & Wollman, 2015; Chen et al, 2016; Ding et al, 2014; Gearhardt, Boswell, & Potenza, 2014; Goldstein & Volkow, 2011). …”