Open AccessImpact of frequency of internet use on development of brain structures and verbal intelligence: Longitudinal analyses
Author(s) -
Takeuchi Hikaru,
Taki Yasuyuki,
Asano Kohei,
Asano Michiko,
Sassa Yuko,
Yokota Susumu,
Kotozaki Yuka,
Nouchi Rui,
Kawashima Ryuta
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.24286
Subject(s) - psychology , longitudinal study , brain size , the internet , cognition , population , developmental psychology , brain development , audiology , neuroscience , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , world wide web , computer science , radiology , environmental health , pathology
Excessive internet use is shown to be cross sectionally associated with lower cognitive functioning and reduced volume of several brain areas. However, the effects of daily internet use on the development of verbal intelligence and brain structures have not been investigated. Here, we cross sectionally examined the effects of the frequency of internet use on regional gray/white matter volume (rGMV/rWMV) and verbal intelligence as well as their longitudinal changes after 3.0 ± 0.3 (standard deviation) years in a large sample of children recruited from the general population (mean age, 11.2 ± 3.1 years; range, 5.7–18.4 years). Although there were no significant associations in cross sectional analyses, a higher frequency of internet use was found to be associated with decrease of verbal intelligence and smaller increase in rGMV and rWMV of widespread brain areas after a few years in longitudinal analyses. These areas involve areas related to language processing, attention and executive functions, emotion, and reward. In conclusion, frequent internet use is directly or indirectly associated with decrease of verbal intelligence and development to smaller gray matter volume at later stages.