Violent video games may alter brain function
20 Dec 2011 Duncan Ferguson, Elite Minds
Results of a recent study in the US showed concerning effects on brain function in young males who played violent video games. Brain imaging showed negative effects on the areas of brain function important for emotional control.
The scans conducted after game exposure revealed diminished activity in the left inferior frontal lobe during the emotional task and less activation in the anterior cingulate cortex during the inhibition task compared with controls, as well as with their own baseline scans.
In an interview with MedPage Today, Vincent Matthews MD of Indiana University said "We found that gamers showed reduced activity in areas of the brain involved in attention, inhibition, and decision making." "This explains what others have observed in behavioral studies that when people are exposed to violent video games, they may show more aggression."
At Elite Minds we look forward to the results of larger studies on this issue and how long the effects of the changes in brain function last. From the perspective of our road safety channel partners we're very concerned about the potential impact of violent games on young male's driving behaviour. Increased risk-taking and aggression, combined with relative inexperience is a frightening cocktail.
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