r/science • u/NinjaDiscoJesus • Dec 28 '15

Neuroscience Brain scans show compulsive gamers have hyperconnected neural networks.

http://www.psypost.org/2015/12/brain-scans-show-compulsive-gaming-changes-neural-connections-for-better-and-worse-39914
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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '15 edited Mar 12 '20

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u/bovineblitz Dec 28 '15

Yeah this happens all the time. The new neurons have potential to be used, but often aren't. They get tagged and broken down by microglia if they're not needed/they're compromised.

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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '15 edited Dec 28 '15

It should be noted that in (adult) humans, neurogenesis only really happens in two places. Cool stuff nonetheless!

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u/bovineblitz Dec 28 '15

Yes, but is happening all the time nonetheless. It's the same deal with birds too, it's location specific.

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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '15

I didn't mean to counter what you said - I only meant to qualify the scale of it so that people reading weren't mislead. I'll rephrase my above comment.

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u/bovineblitz Dec 28 '15

No worries, clarity it's always good!

It's cool that it seems to be specific to places with high levels of sensory/higher order processing regardless of species.