A recent study reveals that people with smartphone addiction have lower gray matter in insula and temporal cortex. This can be seen in insula and temporal cortex. The same study also finds out that smartphone addiction cause hyperactivity in the anterior cingulate cortex.
These finding explains the effect of extended screen time on our brain,
Brain regions and their roles:
The insula, also known as the insular cortex, is a region of the brain responsible for a wide range of functions, including sensory processing, self-awareness, interoception (awareness of bodily sensations), pain processing, and emotional responses. It plays a crucial role in integrating information from various sources to guide behavior and decision-making.
the anterior insula has been associated with stimulus-related salience processing and craving, whereas the posterior insula has been attributed to interoception.
Decreased GMV of the insula has also been reported in substance-related addiction
The temporal cortex, a region in the brain’s temporal lobe, is primarily responsible for auditory processing, memory, and language comprehension. It plays a crucial role in understanding spoken words, accessing semantic knowledge, and naming objects. Additionally, it is involved in processing visual information, particularly for recognizing faces and scenes.
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is responsible for a range of cognitive and emotional functions. It plays a key role in emotional regulation, attention, error monitoring, decision-making, and motivation. The ACC also integrates cognitive and emotional information to guide behavior, and is involved in autonomic functions like heart rate and blood pressure regulation.
the anterior insula has been associated with stimulus-related salience processing and craving, whereas the posterior insula has been attributed to interoception
You can read further in the study: Structural and functional correlates of smartphone addiction, Addictive Behaviors.
