Enhanced functional connectivity and increased gray matter volume of insula related to action video game playing

Abstract

Research has shown that distinct insular subregions are associated with particular neural networks (e.g., attentional and sensorimotor networks). Based on the evidence that playing action video games (AVGs) facilitates attentional and sensorimotor functions, this study examined the relation between AVG experience and the plasticity of insular subregions and the functional networks therein that are related to attentional and sensorimotor functions. By comparing AVG experts and amateurs, we found that AVG experts had enhanced functional connectivity and grey matter volume in insular subregions. Furthermore, AVG experts exhibited increased functional connectivity between the attentional and sensorimotor networks, and the experience-related enhancement was predominantly evident in the left insula, an understudied brain area. Thus, AVG playing may enhance functional integration of insular subregions and the pertinent networks therein.

Figure 1. Enhanced FC of the insular subregions.

The white lines denote the pathways where experts had significant enhancements compared with amateurs, p <0.05, FDR-corrected. The dashed line represents p <0.01, uncorrected. The higher FC reveals a pattern of anterior-posterior integration and left-lateralisation. ROIs 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 (green) were located in the anterior subregions. ROIs 3, 7 and 10 (red) were located in the posterior subregions. ROIs 6 and 9 (yellow) were located in the transitional subregions.

Figure 2. Correlation and GMV subregion analysis.

2a, 2b and 2c are pairwise Pearson correlations that include insular functional integration, GMV and the average playing time. 2d is a comparison between the two groups within the left long insular gyrus and central sulcus. 2e illustrates an inflated surface of the left hemisphere. The long insular gyrus and central sulcus is shown in grey and is located near the transitional subregion.

Figure 3. Examples of the A- and P-networks.

The left ROI 4 is shown as a representative example in 3a and 3c, and the left ROI 10 is shown as a representative example in 3b and 3d. A spatial distribution similar to the left ROI 4 was observed in the other anterior ROIs, and a spatial distribution similar to the left ROI 10 was observed in the other posterior ROIs. See Supplemental Figure 1 for the analysis of other ROIs. Colours ranging from green to yellow or red to yellow indicate increasing spatial consistency (%). E.g., a 40% value in the amateur group indicates that the relevant brain region was activated in 12 subjects [40% = (12/30) × 100%]. The blue circle indicates the MFG, which is believed to be a key node in the A-network and was also identified in the P-networks of experts. The maps are projected onto a 3D brain surface using the BrainNet Viewer (http://www.nitrc.org/projects/bnv/).

Figure 4. Examples of enhanced FC between groups (p <0.05, FDR-corrected, cluster threshold k> 20).

These examples are based on a comparison of the results of the left ROI 3. Similar results were found in other posterior ROIs. SMG = supramarginal gyrus, PrCG = precentral gyrus, PoCG = postcentral gyrus.

Figure 5. A summary of the findings of this study.

The shapes represent brain areas (MFG, insula and a putative intermediate brain area). The lines with two arrowheads represent FC. 5a corresponds to the pattern of the insular network of the amateurs in this study and in Cauda et al.'s study 5b corresponds to the pattern observed in the insular network of the experts. Note that 5b shows an expanded transitional subregion (the dotted line circle) and a direct connection between the MFG and posterior subregion (purple line).