Internet Addiction Disorder is changing the structure of the brain, according to a study of 17 individuals at Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan.

Researchers observed that the white matter of the brain, which contains nerve fibers, showed changes in addicts compared to non-addicts. In MRI scans, the images displayed disruptions to connections in fibers linking decision making, emotions and self-control. The study further solidified a suspicion that white matter anomalies are present not only in addictions which involve substances but also in behavioral ones such as IAD. The conclusions should be taken with a grain of salt because IAD is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which outlines the American Psychiatric Association’s criteria for classifying and diagnosing mental disorders. Studies with a larger pool of people are needed to confirm the findings.

—compiled by Fiza Hashmi