New Findings Suggest Emotional Link To Violent Videogames News

The ongoing debate on how and whether violent videogames affect gamers is something that has been debated in some of the highest political and scientific places in the UK and the US. Today, the Radiological Society of North America has released its own findings from a short-term study into how violent videogames affect the brain function of adolescents.

Here comes the science bit:

The team from RSNA separated 44 gamers into two groups; one group played a violent (yet undisclosed) videogame, the other played an exciting non-violent (and also undisclosed) title. After just thirty minutes of game time, they then measured the subtle metabolic changes in each of the gamer's brain functions using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).

Vincent P. Mathews, M.D., professor of radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis explains the outcome of the scans:

"Our study suggests that playing a certain type of violent video game may have different short-term effects on brain function than playing a non-violent -- but exciting - game... During tasks requiring concentration and processing of emotional stimuli, the adolescents who had played the violent video game showed distinct differences in brain activation than the adolescents who played an equally exciting and fun -- but nonviolent - game. Because of random assignment, the most likely factor accounting for these differences would be the group to which the volunteers were assigned."

According to the findings, gamers from group playing the violent title showed a decrease in brain activity in the prefrontal portions, the part of the organ usually associated with inhibition, coordination, and self-control. That same group however, showed traits of "increased emotional arousal".

Of course, these findings are only based on short-term research, something that the RSNA admit themselves, but they are looking into extending their investigation into the long-term. Looks like the argument is set to continue for now...

We'll have more news shortly...