Functional plasticity in the cerebellum after a reduction in action video gaming time

Action video gaming (AVG) experience has been linked to cognitive development and brain plasticity, but its impact on the functional plasticity of cerebellum remains unclear. This study examined whether cerebellar functional plasticity was evident in AVG experts after a year-long reduction in gaming time, and whether the effects varied across cerebellar regions. AVG experts and non-experts underwent resting-state fMRI scans at the beginning of the study and were then instructed to limit their AVG time to a maximum of three hours per week for one year. Resting-state fMRI data were collected again at the end of the study. Results showed that, at the end of the study, AVG experts exhibited a decrease in amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the right lobule VIII, possibly indicating decreased sensorimotor skills, and an increase in ALFF in the cerebellar lobule IV/V and left lobule VI, possibly indicating enhanced emotional and language abilities. Non-experts did not show significant changes in ALFF. These findings indicate cerebellar functional plasticity in AVG experts following a one-year reduction in gaming time, with varying effects across cerebellar regions.