Structural and functional correlates of smartphone addiction
This cross-sectional MRI study compared individuals meeting psychometric criteria for smartphone addiction (n=22) with controls (n=26). It reports lower gray matter volume in several regions (including left anterior insula and parahippocampal cortex) and lower intrinsic activity in the right anterior cingulate cortex in the smartphone addiction group. Higher smartphone addiction scores were negatively associated with ACC volume/activity and left orbitofrontal gray matter volume, and the authors question the harmlessness of smartphones for at-risk individuals.
Key points
- Structural and functional MRI at 3T was used to compare smartphone addiction versus control participants.
- Lower gray matter volume was reported in the left anterior insula, inferior temporal cortex, and parahippocampal cortex in the smartphone addiction group.
- Lower intrinsic neural activity (ALFF) was reported in the right anterior cingulate cortex in the smartphone addiction group.
- Smartphone addiction severity (SPAI) was negatively associated with ACC volume and ACC activity.
- SPAI scores were also negatively associated with left orbitofrontal gray matter volume.
- The authors frame the findings as initial evidence of correlates of behavioral addiction and raise concerns about potential adverse effects in susceptible individuals.
Referenced studies & papers
Relevant papers in OpenMel
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AI-generated summaries may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
AI-generated summaries may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
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