Figure 1.

A schematic tripartite neurological model illustrating the key systems that may underlie IGD, (1) gaming related cues excite the impulsive system, which mainly depend on the amygdala and striatum, and activates cue-action links through mental associations, (2) the reflective system mainly depends on the structure of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and inhibits the impulsions toward an Internet game, (3) the interoceptive awareness systems plays a key role in modulating the equilibrium between system 1 and system 2. Through translating interoceptive signals, the insular cortex maintains craving for an Internet game. The activity of the insular cortex increases the drive to play the Internet game and weakens the inhibition abilities regarding this action. The excessive and problematic play of online games can also invoke changes in the relevant brain regions, and by so doing exacerbate or help expressing other mental health problem.