Violence-related content in video game may lead to functional connectivity changes in brain networks as revealed by fMRI-ICA in young men. (21st April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zvyagintsev, M.; Klasen, M.; Weber, R.; Sarkheil, P.; Esposito, F.; Mathiak, K.A.; Schwenzer, M.; Mathiak, K.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 320(2016)
• Page Start: 247
• Page End: 258
• Publication Date: 2016-04-21
• Subjects: ACC anterior cingulate gyrus -- BAS behavioral activation or behavioral approach system -- BIS behavioral inhibition system -- DMN default mode network -- EQS Empathy Quotient Scale -- FC functional connectivity -- fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging -- ICA independent component analysis -- ICs independent components -- NEO-FFI NEO Five-Factor Inventory -- PANAS Positive and Negative Affect Scales -- STAXI State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory -- VTC volumetric time course; video game -- violence -- aggression -- fMRI -- ICA -- brain networks; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.01.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: Participants played violence-related and non-violence-related version of video game in fMRI. ICA assessed differences in functional connectivity (FC) between gameplays. Playing violence-related version decreases FC in the reward network and the DMN. This changes may underlie increased aggression observed after playing violent videogames. Abstract: In violent video games, players engage in virtual aggressive behaviors. Exposure to virtual aggressive behavior induces short-term changes in players' behavior. In a previous study, a violence-related version of the racing game "Carmageddon TDR2000" increased aggressive affects, cognitions, and behaviors compared to its non-violence-related version. This study investigates the differences in neural network activity during the playing of both versions of the video game. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) recorded ongoing brain activity of 18 young men playing the violence-related and the non-violence-related version of the video game Carmageddon. Image time series were decomposed into functional connectivity (FC) patterns using independent component analysis (ICA) and template-matching yielded a mapping to established functional brain networks. The FC patterns revealed a decrease in connectivity within 6 brain networks during the violence-related compared to the non-violence-related condition: three sensory-motor networks, the reward network, the default mode network (DMN), and the right-lateralized frontoparietal network. Playing violent racing games may change functional brain connectivity, in particular and even after controlling for event frequency, in the reward network and the DMN. These changes may underlie the short-term increase of aggressive affects, cognitions, and behaviors as observed after playing violent video games.