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Online Gaming Addiction in Men Affects Brain’s Impulse Control

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Online Gaming Addiction in Men Affects Brain's Impulse Control
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Researchers using functional MRI (fMRI) have found differences in the brains of men and women who are addicted to online gaming, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

“Internet use is an integral part of the daily lives of many young adults, and a loss of control over Internet use could lead to various negative effects,” said the study’s senior author, Yawen Sun, M.D., diagnostic radiologist at the Department of Radiology of Ren Ji Hospital, affiliated with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Shanghai, China. “Internet gaming disorder has become a major public health concern worldwide among both adolescents and young adults.”

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a condition characterized by compulsive playing of online games to the exclusion of other interests. Individuals with IGD often suffer significant impairment or distress and may experience negative effects at work, in school or in relationships because of the amount of time they spend playing. They also show symptoms of withdrawal when not playing.

While some evidence exists that IGD is more prevalent among men, there is little existing research on differences in the structure and function of the brains of men and women with the disorder.

The researchers studied 32 men and 23 women with IGD. They performed resting-state fMRI on the study participants, along with 30 male and 22 female age-matched healthy controls. Resting-state fMRI allows a view of the brain activity when it is not focused on a particular task. The study looked at relationships between brain activity as seen on fMRI and scores on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, a commonly used test to assess behavioral inhibition.

The results illuminated key differences between the men and women with IGD. Men with IGD showed alterations in regional- and network-level brain function. In particular, they had lower brain activity in the superior frontal gyrus, an area of the brain’s prefrontal lobe that is important to impulse control. The women with IGD did not exhibit any of these brain alterations.

“Our findings demonstrated that alterations in cerebral activity are observed in men with IGD, but not in women with IGD, and that the lower brain activity in the superior frontal gyrus in men with IGD may be associated with higher impulsivity,” Dr. Sun said.

This and other differences apparent in the study suggest that IGD may interact with gender-specific patterns of brain function in men and women.

Different rates of maturation in men’s and women’s brains could also contribute to gender-specific alterations in IGD, Dr. Sun noted. For instance, the prefrontal cortex, which has a central role in executive function and inhibition, matures later in men.

“Men have shown lower levels of impulse control in comparison with women, and their impulse control also increases more gradually,” she said. “Given the role of inhibitory control in the initiation of IGD, young men may tend to experiment with pathological Internet use to a greater degree than young women do.”

A dysfunctional prefrontal cortex specifically in men with IGD may be associated with high impulsivity, a finding partly consistent with those of previous studies of substance addiction. The research adds to a growing body of literature linking the behavioral problems associated with IGD to those found in individuals with substance abuse issues.

“However, it remains unclear whether the brain functional and structural changes found in IGD are gaming-induced or precursors for vulnerability,” Dr. Sun said. “I think future research should focus on using functional MRI to identify brain susceptibility factors relating to the development of IGD.”

Internet, or online, gaming has grown tremendously over the past decades. It includes social gaming, mobile gaming, and multiplayer gaming, which generates billions of dollars in revenue in the U.S. alone. Recent surveys have reported that there are more than 55 million online console gamers in the U.S. According to data measurement company Nielsen, 162 million people, or roughly half the U.S. population, live in a household with a video game console.

Co-authors are Xu Han, M.D., Yao Wang, Weina Ding, Yan Zhou, Ph.D., and Jianrong Xu.

Note: Copies of RSNA 2018 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press18 beginning Monday, Nov. 26.

RSNA is an association of over 54,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)

 

Source: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

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Almedia Hires 17 New Staff Fuelling Exponential Growth

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– Powering the next generation of rewarded user acquisition  – 

 Almedia, the data-driven platform engineering the future of mobile gaming user acquisition – today proudly announces a major hiring wave which includes over 17 people from leading global tech and gaming brands. The new hires are essential to Almedia’s ambitious strategy for achieving exponential growth across Europe and Northern America over the next 12 months.

The new team members will join an already established team, based in Berlin, with a current headcount of 80, supporting a global client base of mobile game developers and publishers. The expanded team joins established departments including product development, marketing, account management, fraud, and talent acquisition. The 17 new hires will drive Almedia’s core mission: elevating user acquisition to new heights and engineering the future of intelligent engagement.

Moritz Holländer, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Almedia, commented: “Since 2020, we’ve been at the forefront of rewarded user acquisition, and our services and results are being embraced by the global mobile gaming industry, by companies such as Playtika, SuperPlay, Plarium, and Monopoly Go. Team Almedia is witnessing real-time exponential demand for its rewarded UA services, hence we have a robust scaleup roadmap in place to help us manage demand.”

He added: “What we’ve proudly achieved in four years is quite remarkable. With zero funding, a highly profitable organisation, we are humbled to be assembling a true dream team for the global mobile gaming industry. We are thrilled to welcome the latest waves of new hires to the team, which will help us to further establish our brand as the most credible, data-driven rewarded user acquisition company in the world.”

 

The new hires include

  • Andrey Shilin, Lead Product Manager
  • Holly Pickerell, Workplace and Culture Manager
  • Sabina Halilovic, Fraud Analyst
  • Alexander Rasch, Senior Finance Manager
  • Alisson Paschoal Hausmann, Senior Mobile Developer
  • Anthony Clement, SEO Manager
  • April Chen, Senior Customer Success Manager;
  • Benedikt Roth, Lead User Acquisition Google Ads Manager
  • Caroline Sobkow, Talent Acquisition Partner
  • Federica Stiscia, Senior Gaming Partnership Manager
  • Marc Hammes, SEO Manager
  • Mapa Vega, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
  • Pablo Herranz, Senior Talent Acquisition Partne
  • Ravisankar Chinnam, Senior Frontend Developer
  • Kutay Akalin, Data Scientist
  • Aleksei Smagin, Junior Affiliate Specialist UA
  • Neil Laverty, Senior Customer Success Manager

Almedia currently has a range of positions open across operations, talent, product, marketing and more. To learn more about careers at Almedia, visit the jobs section on the website.

 

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Huge Jackpot at King Billy Casino: C$3,658,306!

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This amazing six-digit number was the result of a player going on a safari in her (and millions of other players) beloved Mega Moolah progressive slot from Games Global
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King Billy Casino, launched in 2017, has had some impressive players wins during the “reign of King Billy”. A few of them include Live Game winnings of €135,223, daily winnings from 2 or more slots of $164,000, and €250,000 won on a single spin. However, the latest win by a King Billy Casino player dwarfs every big win that has come before this. Actually, it’s bigger than all previous big wins combined for the operator!

Because, we are talking about C$3,658,306.

This amazing six-digit number was the result of a player going on a safari in her (and millions of other players) beloved Mega Moolah progressive slot from Games Global. In an autumn, the player stepped into eternal summer by wagering a small C$6,25 bet and winning 562.816 times her bet! This is the power of Mega Moolah, as evidenced at King Billy.

King Billy people had only warm words for the occasion. A representative of the casino has stated: “We are elated, for this huge big win. We can never forget that our first big win, many years back, was more than 200,000 Canadian dollars, so we have special ties with the region. And it’s now amazing to see our VIP-player making such a cashback and echoing that big win! Congratulations to our player”.

A few words about Mega Moolah. It was an Internet sensation when it was launched with its beautiful graphics and sounds, and immersive gameplay and it is a sensation today, still going strong after almost 20 years. The slot, which has spawned more than 20 variations, and has given millions in cash to players all over the world (including 5 millionaires in 2024 alone) features 4 types of jackpots that make it stand out from the competition.

About Games Global

Games Global is a supplier of the online gaming industry delivering force and direction to gaming with more than 1,300 top class games. The company has made a commitment to deliver the industry’s more disruptive ideas and compelling data-driven gaming experiences. Games Global features a total of 40+ partnered and in-house studios, services 600+ branded websites and boasts record-breaking jackpots with its worldwide network. 

About King Billy Casino

Established on St Patrick’s Day in 2017, King Billy is a renowned new generation casino with more than 26 awards and accolades. The casino is available in English, German, French and Finnish, and created a unique user experience, building on the theme of King Billy and his Kingdom. King Billy ensures that all its players, “Citizens” in the casino language, receive the care and attention they deserve.

 

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ZITRO INTRODUCES CASH TOTEMS: A MYTHICAL JOURNEY TO ANCIENT FORTUNES

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Awaken the power of ancient gods in Zitro’s new game release, Cash Totems. With two exciting themes—Tomahawk and Vikings—this slot title transports players to a mystical world where Ancient Gods hold the key to incredible fortunes.

Cash Totems offers a Free Games bonus with 10 initial free spins and introduces 3 combinable metamorphic features, each supported by its own scatter symbol. The left accumulator features Sticky Wilds, where players can earn credits with the corresponding scatter symbol. The right accumulator offers Rainy Multiplier Wilds, granting extra spins with each corresponding scatter symbol, enhancing winning opportunities.

Finally, the central accumulator unveils a thrilling Jackpot feature, where each corresponding scatter symbol reveals two potential prizes (Low/High) and awards players one of the following: Credits, Extra Spins, or the chance to spin the Jackpot Wheel. Landing on the jackpot symbol activates the wheel, offering one of four jackpots: Mini, Minor, Super, and Mega.

Unveil the hidden fortune within Cash Totems!

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