Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.  2018 Aug;16(3):276-281. 10.9758/cpn.2018.16.3.276.

Decreased Serum Glutamate Levels in Male Adults with Internet Gaming Disorder: A Pilot Study

• Paik SH
• Choi MR
• Kwak SM
• Bang SH
• Kim DJ

• KMID: 2419981
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2018.16.3.276

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Alteration in glutamatergic neurotransmission and dopaminergic dysfunction has been implicated in both the initiation and expression of addiction related behaviors. This pilot study was aimed to investigate the serum levels of glutamate and dopamine in adults with internet gaming disorder (IGD).
METHODS
We measured serum levels of glutamate and dopamine in male participants with IGD (n=26) and age-matched healthy controls (n=25). Clinical interviews were performed to identify IGD and to rule out psychiatric comorbidities. Serum levels of glutamate and dopamine were examined by enzyme immunoassays using ELISA Kits.
RESULTS
Serum levels of glutamate were lower among IGD than control (IGD: 24.184±12.303 μg/ml; control: 33.676±12.413μg/ml; t=2.742, p=0.008), while levels of dopamine did not differ between. Serum glutamate and dopamine levels did not correlate with gaming hours and exposure to game in the IGD group. But serum glutamate levels were positively correlated with the dopamine levels (r=0.360, p=0.013).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that altered glutamatergic neurotransmission may contribute to the pathophysiology of IGD.

Keyword

Internet gaming disorder; Glutamates; Dopamine; Serum

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Comorbidity
Dopamine
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Glutamates
Glutamic Acid*
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Immunoglobulin D
Internet*
Male*
Pilot Projects*
Synaptic Transmission
Dopamine
Glutamates
Glutamic Acid
Immunoglobulin D