#BrainConnectivity

A recent neuroimaging study in the journal Brain Sciences has highlighted intriguing differences in brain connectivity between action video gamers and non-gamers, sparking discussions on the cognitive impacts of video gaming. The research found that individuals who engage extensively in action video games, such as First-Person Shooters and Real-Time Strategy games, demonstrate enhanced functional and structural connectivity in the dorsal visual stream of their brains. This discovery provides a compelling look at how such gaming activities may influence brain function, emphasizing heightened functional connectivity between the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule—areas integral to processing spatial location and movement.

Recent research unveiled in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights the profound impact that early-life adversity has on the brain’s structural development, specifically targeting white matter connectivity. White matter, often dubbed as the brain’s “communication highways,” forms the intricate network necessary for tasks like language processing and mental arithmetic. The study, spearheaded by experts from Mass General Brigham, involves an in-depth analysis of brain imaging data from over 9,000 children aged around 9.5 years, all part of the comprehensive Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.

Recent research in the field of neuroscience has discovered that individuals who engage regularly in action video games experience enhanced functional and structural connectivity in the dorsal visual stream of the brain. Published in Brain Sciences, the study specifically maps out connectivity improvements between the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule among gamers, suggesting that these brain enhancements could contribute to their superior performance in spatial tasks.