Altered Neurochemical-Behavioral Interplay: dACC Glutamate and Awareness in Internet Gaming Disorder
Poster No:
2392
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Tiantian Hong1, Hui Zhou1,2, Wan Xi1, Xiumei Li1, Yusang Du1, Jiaxin Liu3, Yuzheng Hu1,2,4
Institutions:
1Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 2The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 3College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 4MOE Frontiers Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
First Author:
Tiantian Hong
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Co-Author(s):
Hui Zhou
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University|The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China|Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University|The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China|Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Wan Xi
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Xiumei Li
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Yusang Du
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Yuzheng Hu
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University|The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University|MOE Frontiers Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China|Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China|Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University|The State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University|MOE Frontiers Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China|Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China|Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Introduction:
Repetitive and compulsive behavior is the core symptom of addiction including Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). As a facet of mindfulness involving sustained awareness of one's actions during task engagement, the ability of acting with awareness (AWA) has a preventive role in both substance abuse and IGD. However, the neurochemical basis underlying the role of awareness in IGD remains unclear.
The abnormalities of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) have been linked to both IGD and awareness in a good number of studies. Our study endeavors to clarify the alterations in glutamate (Glu) levels within the dACC region and its correlation with AWA in individuals with IGD.
The abnormalities of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) have been linked to both IGD and awareness in a good number of studies. Our study endeavors to clarify the alterations in glutamate (Glu) levels within the dACC region and its correlation with AWA in individuals with IGD.
Methods:
Participants and assessments. 53 participants were recruited through online advertisements. Poor fit of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS ,Cramer-Rao lower bounds≥10%, n=8) and participants failed attention-check (n=1) were excluded. IGD severity was assessed using the 9-criteria scale recommended by the DSM-5, with a diagnostic cutoff at a score of 5. In order to enhance the clarity of group classification, subjects with DSM scores equal to 4 (n=4) were also excluded, resulting in 21 IGDs (scores>4, 20 males, age = 23.52±2.42) and 19 recreational game users (RGU, scores<4, 19 males, age = 23.42±2.59) in the final statistical analysis. There were no significant age difference (p = .898) and sex difference (p = .335) between two groups. AWA was measured using the "Acting with Awareness" sub-scale from the Five Facet Mindfulness Scale (FFMQ) , in a 5-point Likert-type rating from rarely true to always true.
Image acquisition and processing. MRS was collected using a 3T Siemens Prisma scanner equipped with a 20-channel coil. A 26×21×15 cm3 voxel of interest (VOI) were manually placed at dACC (Fig. 1A) for the MRS collection. We used a MEGA-PRESS sequence (TE/TR = 68/2000 ms) with 120 averages to measure the Glu concentration. Glu concentration was estimated using the 'LCModel' algorithm.
Analysis. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences in Glu concentrations and AWA between IGD and RGU groups. Correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationship between dACC Glu and AWA in both groups. A comparison of the difference between two correlation coefficients was performed. The level of statistical significance was set at p < .05.
Image acquisition and processing. MRS was collected using a 3T Siemens Prisma scanner equipped with a 20-channel coil. A 26×21×15 cm3 voxel of interest (VOI) were manually placed at dACC (Fig. 1A) for the MRS collection. We used a MEGA-PRESS sequence (TE/TR = 68/2000 ms) with 120 averages to measure the Glu concentration. Glu concentration was estimated using the 'LCModel' algorithm.
Analysis. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences in Glu concentrations and AWA between IGD and RGU groups. Correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationship between dACC Glu and AWA in both groups. A comparison of the difference between two correlation coefficients was performed. The level of statistical significance was set at p < .05.
Results:
Significant differences between the two groups have been observed in dACC Glu and AWA, with RGU exhibiting higher values than IGD (dACC Glu: t (38) = 2.17, p =.037; AWA: t (38) = 3.00, p = .005) (Fig. 1B, C).
When considering the relationship between dACC Glu and AWA, different patterns have been found in the two groups. In the RGU group, participants with higher dACC Glu had a higher level of AWA (r = .46, p = .045). However, in the IGD group, we did not find a significant correlation between the two variables (r = -.11, p =.650) (Fig. 2). The difference of these two correlation coefficients reached a marginal significance (diff = -.57, Z = -1.77, p = .076).
When considering the relationship between dACC Glu and AWA, different patterns have been found in the two groups. In the RGU group, participants with higher dACC Glu had a higher level of AWA (r = .46, p = .045). However, in the IGD group, we did not find a significant correlation between the two variables (r = -.11, p =.650) (Fig. 2). The difference of these two correlation coefficients reached a marginal significance (diff = -.57, Z = -1.77, p = .076).
·Figure 1.
·Figure 2.
Conclusions:
The current study disclosed significant distinctions in dACC Glu and AWA between the IGD and RGU groups. Specifically, the RGU group exhibited higher values in dACC Glu and AWA compared to IGD group. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between dACC Glu and AWA was observed in the RGU group, not in the IGD group.
Previous research has highlighted that acting without awareness mediated the link between negative affect and craving. Furthermore, 10h mindfulness training can elevate ACC Glu levels while concurrently increasing mindful attention awareness and reducing negative affect. Within the IGD group, we identified an altered neurochemical-behavioral interplay compared to RGU, suggesting that enhancing the excitability of the dACC through long-term mindfulness training may have the potential to improve AWA. Such improvement in AWA could contribute to better control over cravings for addictive substances triggered by negative affect.
Previous research has highlighted that acting without awareness mediated the link between negative affect and craving. Furthermore, 10h mindfulness training can elevate ACC Glu levels while concurrently increasing mindful attention awareness and reducing negative affect. Within the IGD group, we identified an altered neurochemical-behavioral interplay compared to RGU, suggesting that enhancing the excitability of the dACC through long-term mindfulness training may have the potential to improve AWA. Such improvement in AWA could contribute to better control over cravings for addictive substances triggered by negative affect.
Disorders of the Nervous System:
Psychiatric (eg. Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia) 2
Higher Cognitive Functions:
Executive Function, Cognitive Control and Decision Making
Novel Imaging Acquisition Methods:
MR Spectroscopy 1
Perception, Attention and Motor Behavior:
Consciousness and Awareness
Keywords:
Addictions
Glutamate
MR SPECTROSCOPY
Other - Acting with Awareness
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
Provide references using author date format
2. Baer, R. A. (2006). ‘Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness.’ Assessment, 13(1), 27–45.
3. Enkema, M. C. (2020). ‘Disrupting the path to craving: Acting without awareness mediates the link between negative affect and craving.’ Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 34(5), 620.
4. Fernandez, A. C. (2010). ‘Measuring mindfulness and examining its relationship with alcohol use and negative consequences.’ Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24(4), 608.
5. Goodman, A. (1990). ‘Addiction: definition and implications.’ British journal of addiction, 85(11), 1403-1408.
6. Kim, J. Y. (2019). ‘The correlation between the frontostriatal network and impulsivity in internet gaming disorder.’ Scientific reports, 9(1), 1191.
7. Orr, C. (2012). ‘Error-related anterior cingulate cortex activity and the prediction of conscious error awareness.’ Frontiers in human neuroscience, 6, 177.
8. Tang, Y. Y. (2020). ‘Brief mindfulness training increased glutamate metabolism in the anterior cingulate cortex.’ NeuroReport, 31(16), 1142-1145.
9. Yin, M. (2023). ‘Depression and Internet Gaming Disorder among Chinese Adolescents: A Longitudinal Moderated Mediation Model.’ International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3633.