Tech Shout!

A study conducted has revealed that violent video games cause considerable different effects on the brains of teenagers as compared to non-violent ones.

The study noted that while playing violent games there was an increased activity in the area of the brain that governs emotions, on the other hand the activity in the area that deals with self-control, focus, and concentration decreased notably.

The Violent Video Games findings are sure to trigger the ongoing debate over the safety of such games. The group noted that the video game industry has become a $10 billion per-year business, and is expected to grow with launch of next-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 3.

The experts at The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) allowed 44 teenagers to either play a violent or non-violent game for a period of 30 minutes. The games selected were Medal of Honor: Frontline and Need for Speed: Underground.

Immediately after playing either a violent or non-violent video game for 30 minutes, study participants performed tasks measuring inhibition and concentration. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, to scan their brain activity. The two groups performed the tests with similar accuracy and reaction time, but the fMRI measurements reflected differences in brain activation between the groups.

Some people are concerned long-term exposure to violent media could cause changes in behavior, but researchers say the study only indicates changes in mental function. Further research is required to determine whether video games have a long-term effect on behavior in young adults.

“After playing the violent video game, that group of adolescents showed significantly more activation in the amygdala, which is a part of the brain involved in emotional arousal,” said study author and professor of radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine Dr. Vincent Matthews. “Areas of the brain involved in self-control, inhibition and attention showed less activation in those who played the violent video game compared to those who played the non-violent video game.”

The so-called fight-or-flight response of the brain seemed to be activated after playing the violent game. The effects were short-term, and further research is needed to investigate any possible long-term effects.

Dr. Mathews added, “Additional investigation of the reasons for and effects of this difference in brain functioning will be important targets for future study, but the current study showed that a difference between the groups does exist.”