Real‐time strategy video game experience and structural connectivity – A diffusion tensor imaging study

Abstract

Experienced video game players exhibit superior performance in visuospatial cognition when compared to non-players. However, very little is known about the relation between video game experience and structural brain plasticity. To address this issue, a direct comparison of the white matter brain structure in RTS (real time strategy) video game players (VGPs) and non-players (NVGPs) was performed. We hypothesized that RTS experience can enhance connectivity within and between occipital and parietal regions, as these regions are likely to be involved in the spatial and visual abilities that are trained while playing RTS games. The possible influence of long-term RTS game play experience on brain structural connections was investigated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and a region of interest (ROI) approach in order to describe the experience-related plasticity of white matter. Our results revealed significantly more total white matter connections between occipital and parietal areas and within occipital areas in RTS players compared to NVGPs. Additionally, the RTS group had an altered topological organization of their structural network, expressed in local efficiency within the occipito-parietal subnetwork. Furthermore, the positive association between network metrics and time spent playing RTS games suggests a close relationship between extensive, long-term RTS game play and neuroplastic changes. These results indicate that long-term and extensive RTS game experience induces alterations along axons that link structures of the occipito-parietal loop involved in spatial and visual processing.

Action Real-Time Strategy Gaming Experience Related to Enhanced Capacity of Visual Working Memory

“…Furthermore, given the hypothesis that the AVG experience enhances cognitive and brain plasticity because of its “action” mechanics, as AVG: (a) requires players to respond to stimuli under stringent time pressure; (b) puts a persistent, large cognitive demand on divided attention; and (c) demands for timely shifts between focused and divided attentions (Bavelier and Green, 2019 ), researchers have examined ARSG that integrates the “action” mechanics into real-time strategy gaming. Research demonstrated that the ARSG experience benefited various cognitive abilities just as the AVG experience (Gong et al, 2015 , 2016 , 2017 ; Dale and Green, 2017a , b ; Kowalczyk et al, 2018 ; Qiu et al, 2018 ; Bavelier and Green, 2019 ; Dale et al, 2019 ; Gong et al, 2019a , b ; Gan et al, 2020 ). Consistent with these findings, the current study found that the ARSG experience was related to the enhancement of the VWM capacity.…”

“…Furthermore, ERP research showed that prolonged ARSG experience (e.g., League of Legends) was related to enhancement of visual attention, which was closely associated with individual differences in the VWM capacity (Qiu et al, 2018 ; Gan et al, 2020 ). Thus, ARSG offers a new perspective on cognitive and neural plasticity (Gong et al, 2015 , 2017 ; Kowalczyk et al, 2018 ; Gong et al, 2019a , b ).…”

Setting the scientific stage for esports psychology: a systematic review

“…In terms of expertise differences, researchers found that expert LoL, Dota, StarCraft, Guilty Gear, CoD, Halo, and Battlefield players outperformed amateur players in spatial and visual working memory tasks (Chang, Liu, Chen, & Hsieh, 2017;Gong et al, 2016;C.S. Green & Bavelier, 2006;Kowalczyk et al, 2018;Pereira, Wilwert, & Takase, 2016;Seya & Shinoda, 2016;Tanaka et al, 2013). Additionally, studies found higher activation of the brain network structure associated with spatial and visual processing of the working memory functions in expert Guilty Gear, LoL, Dota, and StarCraft players in comparison to non-expert players (Gong et al, 2016;Kowalczyk et al, 2018;Tanaka et al, 2013).…”

Commercial video games and cognitive functions: video game genres and modulating factors of cognitive enhancement

“…right hippocampus, right DLPFC and bilateral cerebellum) [52]. Moreover, increases in white matter connections between occipital and parietal areas were found in RTS players compared to non-video gamers [53]. Furthermore, adolescents with more experience of VG playing showed thicker cortex in left frontal eye-fields that engage in allocating visuospatial attention and integrating relevant visuo-motor information [54].…”