Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42851004›Full record

ArticleBrain and behavior2026

Disrupted Sensory-Motor Network Integrity in Excessive Online Gaming: Insight From Multimodal Morphometric Mapping.

Zulalanmu Abudouxukuer, Michael Afiadenyo, Zhenzhen Yang, Benjamin Becker, Stefania Ferraro, Elijah Agoalikum, Seth Kwadjo Angmorterh, Francis Tanam Djankpa, Latif Adams, Bharat B Biswal and 1 more

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Article in Brain and behavior, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Zulalanmu AbudouxukuerThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Michael AfiadenyoThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Zhenzhen YangSchool of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Benjamin BeckerState Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Stefania FerraroChina-Cuba Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Neurotechnology and Brain-Apparatus Communication, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Elijah AgoalikumKey Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China.
Seth Kwadjo AngmorterhDepartment of Medical Imaging School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
Francis Tanam DjankpaDepartment of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Latif AdamsDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Bharat B BiswalDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Benjamin Klugah-BrownThe Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

Funding

China MOST2030 Brain Project 2022ZD0208500The China MOST2030 Brain Project
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionExcessive online gaming (EOG) is a transitional stage between recreational gaming and internet gaming disorder (IGD), characterized by impaired self-control and escalating engagement. Early identification of neural and behavioral vulnerabilities is crucial for understanding IGD development.

methodsFifty-nine young adults (30 EOG, 29 controls) completed structural MRI and behavioral assessments, including the IGD Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Source-based morphometry (SBM) identified independent gray matter networks, while behavioral profiling and receptor-level mapping examined functional and neurochemical associations.

resultsSBM revealed six gray matter components, with one network encompassing the right thalamus and precentral gyrus showing reduced loading in EOG, which negatively correlated with IGDS9-SF scores. Behavioral annotation linked this network to sensory integration, attention, and motor-executive control. Spatial overlap with serotonergic and dopaminergic receptor distributions indicated potential neurotransmitter involvement.

conclusionEarly alterations in sensory-motor networks and associated neurotransmitter systems may contribute to impaired self-regulation and heightened reward sensitivity, providing a multimodal framework for understanding the progression from excessive gaming to IGD.

Indexed as

BrainGray MatterInternet Addiction DisorderNerve NetVideo GamesAdultBrain MappingDigital MediaFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleNeural PathwaysThalamusYoung Adultgray matter networksinternet gaming disorderserotonin–dopamine couplingsource‐based morphometry

Identifiers

PMID42851004

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.