Scientists that the brain of gamers have investigated, and found that the frequent playing of games is correlated with a larger brain that is involved in rewards. There seems to be a functional difference.
To the investigation, 154 14-year-old youth, who in an fmri scanner were laid. This device is capable of activation of the brain regions to show. When frequent gamers, young people more than 9 hours per week games played, was a difference in the ventral striatum was found. In this brain region are brain cells that the chemical messenger dopamine to respond, which plays a role in our rewarding system by. Scientists found in this area more brain cells and a higher activity of the cells. That indicates increased dopamineproductie, something with a pet scan it was confirmed.
It is unclear whether the increased size and activity of the ventral striatum, a cause or a result of gaming. This is due to the scientists not been investigated. However, another study showed that increased activity in the ventral striatum ensures that participants are faster gamevaardigheden can learn. Also, an increase in the amount of dopamine in the ventral striatum found in drug addicts.
On a functional level, there was a link found between increased volume in the ventral striatum and less nadenktijd for the bets in a gambling game. In another study, it was demonstrated that increased activity in the brain correlates with increased speed, when the play of a board game.
Earlier was, moreover, an association was found between gaming power and activity in brain regions that together are the basal ganglia shapes. This area is also involved in the control of motor functions, what explains the difference in gamevaardigheden. In addition, it produces a part of the basal ganglia dopamine, which is intended as an input to the ventral striatum, which allows the two areas so connected to each other.
Both brain regions are combined in a feedback system, which means that the projection of a part of the basal ganglia to the ventral striatum routed to other parts of the brain, then the output will eventually return to the basal ganglia arrives. This seems to be relevant to gamers, so that both differences in the motor system as thereward system are to be noted.
This brain system is affected in parkinson’s patients, the dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, also a part of the basal ganglia, slowly dying. This allows for disturbances in the motor system, causing the characteristic vibrations occur. Medication, which patients on artificial manner, a precursor of dopamine, is administered, can include ensuring that these people are addicted to gambling, hitting. This seems to be explainable with the way in which the dopamine-dependent brain areas related to each other.