Welcome to the 22nd WCP Congress Program Scheduling

Abstract Body

Brain imaging studies of reward in IGD show reduced occupancy of D₂ receptors in the striatum. Cue exposure and craving studies have shown activation in the ventral striatum, anterior cingulate and the orbitofrontal cortex in IGD. Studies of response inhibition and impulsivity have shown reduced activity in impulse control areas such as the anterior cingulate cortex in IGD. IGD participants showed impaired decision-making indicated by high sensitivity for reward and low sensitivity to loss. There were extensive studies on functional connectivity, grey and white matter volume in IGD. Recent studies have also investigated the relationship between IGD and comorbid conditions such as ADHD and depression and the effects of pharmacological and psychological treatment. Problematic social media use has been associated with "fear of missing out" (FOMO). Brain imaging studies showed a positive association between social media use (Facebook) and addiction. Secondly, gray matter volumes of the bilateral posterior insula were negatively associated with social media addiction and this association was mediated by delay discounting, indicating impulsivity. High daily frequency of checking Facebook on the smartphone was associated with smaller gray matter volumes of the nucleus accumbens supporting the rewarding aspects of social media use. Finally, symptom severity of problematic social-media use was associated with attentional impulsivity. In conclusion, the studies so far have shown reward deficiency, reduced impulse control mechanisms, impaired decision-making and impulsivity in IGD and problematic social media use.