Neurotrophic Factors, Impulsivity, and Reward Sensitivity in Children With Internet Gaming Disorder

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Conditions studied: Internet Gaming Disorder, Internet Addiction

In brief

Research and knowledge regarding the neurobiology of behavioral addictions and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) remain limited compared to substance and alcohol use disorders. However, IGD is increasingly causing significant functional impairment, particularly in the child and adolescent population. The primary objective of this study is to measure the serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)-both known for their roles in neurogenesis and neuroprotective effects-in a patient group aged 10-14 and a healthy control group. Additionally, this study aims to investigate the relationship between these neurotrophic factor levels and disease severity, as well as various behavioral and emotional parameters measured through psychometric assessments, to identify differences between the patient and healthy populations. Researchers will compare IGD patient group with healthy control group, both aged 10-14. Participants and their parents will be asked to fill self-report measures and serum samples of participants will be collected for BDNF and GDNF level measurements. The main questions of the study are: * Is there a difference in serum BDNF and GDNF levels between IGD patient group and healthy controls? * Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and IGD severity? * Is there a difference in impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity between IGD patient group and healthy controls * Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity scores in IGD patient group?

Key facts

Study ID: NCT07590180
Run by: Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University
People needed: 120
Starts: 2026-05-01
Expected to finish: 2027-01-01
Last updated by the study team: 2026-05-15

Who can join

Age: 10 and older, up to 14. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

For IGD Patient Group:
Age: Being between 10 and 14 years of age. Literacy: Ability to read and write fluently. Informed Consent: Voluntary participation with written informed consent obtained from both the participants and their parents/legal guardians after a comprehensive briefing on the study procedures and scales.
Diagnostic Criteria: Meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and scoring above the clinical cutoff on the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF).
For Healthy Control Group:
Age: Children between 10 and 14 years of age. Literacy: Ability to read and write fluently. Clinical Status: No history or current diagnosis of any neuropsychiatric disorder, confirmed through clinical psychiatric assessment.
Informed Consent: Voluntary participation with written informed consent obtained from both the participants and their parents/legal guardians after a comprehensive briefing on the study procedures and scales.

You may not qualify if…

Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders: Meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar I Disorder, or Bipolar II Disorder.
Cognitive and Neurological Impairment: Having a moderate to severe intellectual disability and/or a neurological disease in either the child or the caregiver that would impede the ability to understand instructions or provide reliable responses during the interview.
Lack of Informed Consent: Refusal to participate voluntarily or failure to sign the informed consent/assent form by the children or their parents/legal guardians after receiving a detailed explanation of the study's purpose and the assessment scales to be administered.

Where it is running

Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery — Istanbul, Bakirkoy, Turkey (Türkiye) (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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