Individual differences in internet use are associated with cortical brain thickness in areas related to substance use addiction

The Internet provides many advantages in our daily lives. However, a growing amount of research suggests that excessive use may lead to negative consequences. Problematic Internet use is recognized to possibly interfere with everyday life and show addictive features.The aim of this study was to investigate structural alterations in relation to problematic Internet use and Internet-related activities, using questionnaires and magnetic resonance imaging-based volumetry.Our results suggest that structural alterations were correlated with Internet-related activities, however, problematic Internet use was not associated with cortical thickness. These cortical regions involved the insula, the entorhinal cortex, and the orbitofrontal cortex, which have also been found to exhibit alterations in other forms of behavioral addictions and substance use disorders.According to our results, besides addictive symptoms, time spent online is also associated with cortical thickness.