Research and knowledge regarding the neurobiology of behavioral addictions and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) remain limited compared to substance and alcohol use disorders. However, IGD is increasingly causing significant functional impairment, particularly in the child and adolescent population. The primary objective of this study is to measure the serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)-both known for their roles in neurogenesis and neuroprotective effects-in a patient group aged 10-14 and a healthy control group. Additionally, this study aims to investigate the relationship between these neurotrophic factor levels and disease severity, as well as various behavioral and emotional parameters measured through psychometric assessments, to identify differences between the patient and healthy populations. Researchers will compare IGD patient group with healthy control group, both aged 10-14. Participants and their parents will be asked to fill self-report measures and serum samples of participants will be collected for BDNF and GDNF level measurements. The main questions of the study are: * Is there a difference in serum BDNF and GDNF levels between IGD patient group and healthy controls? * Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and IGD severity? * Is there a difference in impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity between IGD patient group and healthy controls * Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity scores in IGD patient group?
Between May 2026 and December 2026, informed consent and assent will be obtained from participants and their parents/legal guardians after a comprehensive explanation of the study objectives, psychometric scales, and psychiatric evaluation protocols. This research is designed as a cross-sectional case-control study. The patient group will include children and adolescents diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) according to DSM-5 criteria. The control group will consist of age- and gender-matched individuals attending psychiatry or pediatric outpatient clinics or volunteers who meet the control inclusion criteria and have provided written informed consent. The primary investigator will conduct clinical psychiatric interviews with all participants in both the case and control groups to verify eligibility and diagnostic status. The following psychometric instruments will be administered: For children (Case and Control groups): Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale for Children (C-UPPS-P), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) - Child Form, and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). For parents (Case and Control groups): SCARED - Parent Form, and the Turgay DSM-IV-based Screening and Assessment Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders (Turgay ADHD Scale). Joint Assessments: The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and a sociodemographic data form will be administered to both the children and their parents by the researcher. For biochemical analysis, peripheral venous blood samples will be collected from all participants following a 10-12 hour fasting period between 09:00 and 12:00. Samples will be drawn into gold-top (serum separator) tubes and transported within 2-3 hours to the Brain and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Laboratory at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Department of Neuroscience. Blood tubes will be centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 minutes. The separated serum will be aliquoted into 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes and stored at -80°C until the final analysis. Once the sample collection phase is complete, serum BDNF and GDNF levels will be determined using Human BDNF (ELH-BDNF-1, RayBiotech) and Human GDNF (ELH-GDNF-1, RayBiotech) ELISA kits. ELISA assays will be conducted strictly following the manufacturers' protocols at the aforementioned laboratory.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
120
Participants and their parents will undergo a cross-sectional clinical psychiatric interview conducted by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Following the interview, both participants and their parents will be required to complete a battery of standardized self-report and parent-report psychometric scales. At the conclusion of the clinical assessment, a peripheral venous blood sample will be collected from each participant for serum biochemical analysis of neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GDNF).
Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery
Istanbul, Bakirkoy, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGComparison of Serum BDNF and GDNF Levels
Serum concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) will be measured in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) to identify biological differences between the Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) group and healthy controls.
Time frame: Baseline (at the time of enrollment)
Differences in Impulsivity and Reward/Punishment Sensitivity Scores
Comparison of psychometric assessment scores between the IGD group and healthy controls to evaluate behavioral differences.
Time frame: Baseline (at the time of enrollment)
Correlation Between Neurotrophic Factors and Behavioral Scores in the IGD Group
Analyzing the specific relationship between serum BDNF/GDNF levels and psychometric scores of impulsivity and reward/punishment sensitivity within the patient group diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).
Time frame: Baseline
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