인터넷 중독의 생물학적 이해

Biological Model of Internet Addiction

Objectives ： Internet addition has been suggested as a spectrum of behavioral addiction. To establish its diagnosis and treatment, the neurobiological characteristics of internet addiction need to be elucidated. Methods ： We reviewed the findings from studies on neuroimaging, and the genetic and cognitive characteristics of internet addiction. Results ： Neurobiological research on internet addiction has used paradigms and designs similar to those used in substance use disorder research. Although studies are limited in numbers and are cross-sectional in design, previous studies consistently suggest similarity in abnormalities in the brain reward system and associated genetic polymorphisms between substance use disorder and internet addiction. More-over, structural abnormalities in the brain and cognitive impairment were observed in patients with internet addiction. Conclusion : This review concludes with a discussion regarding further consideration of a co-morbid condition and the challenges in neurobiological research on internet addiction.