COMMENT: Adolescents with internet addiction have decreased gray matter in portions of the frontal cortex. Decreases in size and functioning the frontal cortex are found in all addiction processes. I wonder about the extent of porn use in the Internet addiction group. Another example of a non-drug addiction causing brain changes similar to substance abuse disorders.
Eur J Radiol. 2011 Jul;79(1):92-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.10.025.
Zhou Y1, Lin FC, Du YS, Qin LD, Zhao ZM, Xu JR, Lei H.
Department of Radiology, RenJi Hospital, Jiao Tong University Medical School, Shanghai 200127, PR China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
This study aims to investigate brain gray matter density (GMD) changes in adolescents with Internet addiction (IA) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis on high-resolution T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance images.
METHODS:
Eighteen IA adolescents and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy controls took part in this study. High-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed on the two groups. VBM analysis was used to compare the GMD between the two groups.
RESULTS:
Compared with healthy controls, IA adolescents had lower GMD in the left anterior cingulate cortex, left posterior cingulate cortex, left insula, and left lingual gyrus.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings suggested that brain structural changes were present in IA adolescents, and this finding may provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of IA.
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