Temporal variability-based alternations in dynamic functional networks in internet gaming disorder.

Background: Previous studies on resting-state functional connectivity (FC) in internet gaming disorder (IGD) have typically assumed that FC is static during the entire scan, neglecting the dynamic reorganization of brain networks. However, understanding the dynamic changes in functional networks is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of IGD, a complex and evolving disorder.

Methods: Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 269 participants (132 IGD subjects, male/female: 72/60, and 137 recreational game users (RGUs), male/female: 85/52). At the network level (within-network and between-network), temporal variability indices were calculated for each group and subjected to independent samples t-tests.

Results: Compared to RGUs, IGD individuals exhibited decreased within-network variability in the default mode network (DMN), increased within-network temporal variability in the ventral attention network (VAN), and increased between-network temporal variability in sensorimotor network (SMN) and VAN, SMN and limbic network (LN), VAN and LN.

Conclusions: Changes in temporal variability at the network level occur in participants with IGD, indicating impaired executive inhibitory functions and attention, as well as imbalances between sensory-attention, sensory-emotion, and emotion-motivation functions. These findings provide new insights into the dynamic functional organization of the brain in IGD, contributing to our understanding the neural basis of pathological gaming behaviors.