A new article in the peer-reviewed Neurology Now journal explores the physical effects of extensive video game exposure on adolescents. The report reflects (and endorses) past research that identifies the positive effects of gaming, but warns about physiological changes due to excessive exposure.
The article, which appears in the June/July 2014 issue of Neurology Now, examines the impact of gaming on production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Dopamine is naturally produced by the brain, and is generated by reward-oriented activity.
In studies, dopamine production has been high enough in some adolescents as to nearly shut down the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain related to judgment, decision making, and self-control). The result of an excess of the neurotransmitter leads to poor choices, like selecting extended gaming binges instead of schoolwork or other crucial tasks.
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