Abnormal Functional Connectivity in Cognitive Control Network, Default Mode Network, and Visual Attention Network in Internet Addiction: A Resting-State fMRI Study
Frontiers in Neurology September 18, 2019 Yang Wang, Yun Qin, Hui Li et al.
Internet addiction is linked to altered communication patterns across the whole brain. Individuals with internet addiction showed increased functional connectivity density in regions involved in cognitive control and the default mode network, including the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left parahippocampal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle cingulate cortex, and superior temporal pole. Decreased connectivity density appeared in the right inferior parietal lobe and bilateral calcarine and lingual gyrus, areas tied to visual attention. Scores on the Internet Addiction Test correlated with connectivity changes in the left parahippocampal gyrus and bilateral superior temporal pole. These patterns resemble those seen in substance addiction and share neurobiological features with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.