Effects of computer gaming on cognition, brain structure, and function: a critical reflection on existing literature 

IF 8.3 2区医学 Q1 Medicine

Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Pub Date : 2019-09-01 DOI:10.31887/DCNS.2019.21.3/skuehn

S. Kühn, J. Gallinat, Anna Mascherek

{"title":"Effects of computer gaming on cognition, brain structure, and function: a critical reflection on existing literature\u2029","authors":"S. Kühn, J. Gallinat, Anna Mascherek","doi":"10.31887/DCNS.2019.21.3/skuehn","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Video gaming as a popular form of leisure activity and its effect on cognition, brain function, and structure has come into focus in the field of neuroscience. Visuospatial cognition and attention seem to benefit the most, whereas for executive functions, memory, and general cognition, the results are contradictory. The particular characteristics of video games driving these effects remain poorly understood. We critically discuss major challenges for the existing research, namely, the lack of precise definitions of video gaming, the lack of distinct choice of cognitive ability under study, and the lack of standardized study protocols. Less research exists on neural changes in addition to cognitive changes due to video gaming. Existing studies reveal evidence for the involvement of similar brain regions in functional and structural changes. There seems to be a predominance in the hippocampal, prefrontal, and parietal brain regions; however, studies differ immensely, which makes a meta-analytic interpretation vulnerable. We conclude that theoretical work is urgently needed.\u2029","PeriodicalId":54343,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience","volume":"21 1","pages":"319 - 330"},"PeriodicalIF":8.3000,"publicationDate":"2019-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"20","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2019.21.3/skuehn","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"Medicine","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 20

Abstract

Video gaming as a popular form of leisure activity and its effect on cognition, brain function, and structure has come into focus in the field of neuroscience. Visuospatial cognition and attention seem to benefit the most, whereas for executive functions, memory, and general cognition, the results are contradictory. The particular characteristics of video games driving these effects remain poorly understood. We critically discuss major challenges for the existing research, namely, the lack of precise definitions of video gaming, the lack of distinct choice of cognitive ability under study, and the lack of standardized study protocols. Less research exists on neural changes in addition to cognitive changes due to video gaming. Existing studies reveal evidence for the involvement of similar brain regions in functional and structural changes. There seems to be a predominance in the hippocampal, prefrontal, and parietal brain regions; however, studies differ immensely, which makes a meta-analytic interpretation vulnerable. We conclude that theoretical work is urgently needed. 

查看原文本刊更多论文

计算机游戏对认知、大脑结构和功能的影响：对现有文献的批判性反思

电子游戏作为一种流行的休闲活动形式及其对认知、大脑功能和结构的影响已成为神经科学领域的焦点。视觉空间认知和注意力似乎受益最大，而执行功能、记忆和一般认知的结果是矛盾的。驱动这些效果的电子游戏的特殊特征仍然知之甚少。我们批判性地讨论了现有研究面临的主要挑战，即缺乏对视频游戏的精确定义，缺乏对所研究的认知能力的明确选择，以及缺乏标准化的研究协议。除了视频游戏引起的认知变化外，对神经变化的研究较少。现有研究揭示了类似大脑区域参与功能和结构变化的证据。海马、前额叶和顶叶脑区域似乎占主导地位；然而，研究的差异很大，这使得元分析解释变得脆弱。我们得出的结论是，迫切需要进行理论工作。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Medicine-Psychiatry and Mental Health

CiteScore

19.30

自引率

1.20%

发文量

期刊介绍： Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience (DCNS) endeavors to bridge the gap between clinical neuropsychiatry and the neurosciences by offering state-of-the-art information and original insights into pertinent clinical, biological, and therapeutic aspects. As an open access journal, DCNS ensures accessibility to its content for all interested parties. Each issue is curated to include expert reviews, original articles, and brief reports, carefully selected to offer a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape in clinical neuroscience. Join us in advancing knowledge and fostering dialogue in this dynamic field.