Identifying Teen Gaming Addiction Through Brain Markers

A study by the University of Rochester identifies brain activity patterns that may predict gaming addiction in adolescents. Researchers found that teens with reduced activity in brain regions related to decision-making and reward processing are more likely to develop gaming addiction symptoms. This blunted response to non-gaming rewards suggests a susceptibility to problematic gaming behaviors. The findings, based on a longitudinal study of 6,143 adolescents, offer insights for parents and clinicians to balance healthy gaming habits and identify at-risk individuals early.