Altered functional brain networks in problematic Internet use: resting-state fMRI study

Abstract Nowadays, the limitless availability to the World Wide Web can lead to general Internet misuse and dependence. Currently, problematic Internet, smartphone and social media use belong to the most prevalent behavioral addictions. However, the neurobiological background of these Internet related behavioral addictions is not sufficiently explored. In this study, these addiction forms were assessed with self-reported questionnaires. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was acquired for all participants (n=72, 36 males) to examine functional brain networks. The resting-state networks that were discovered using independent component analysis were analyzed to estimate within network differences. Significant negative associations with problematic Internet use, social media addiction and smartphone addiction were found in the language network, the lateral and medial visual networks, the auditory network, the sensorimotor network and the executive network. Our study suggests that problematic Internet, smartphone and social media use can cause alterations in sensory processing and higher cognitive functioning.