Neurotrophic Factors, Impulsivity, and Reward Sensitivity in Children With Internet Gaming Disorder

NCT07590180 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026/148
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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?

Conditions

Internet Addiction; Internet Gaming Disorder

Keywords

Internet addiction; Child and adolescent psychiatry; Neurogenesis; Neurotrophic factors; BDNF; GDNF; Impulsivity; Reward/punishment sensitivity; Internet gaming disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Comparison 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.

  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.

  Baseline (at the time of enrollment)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Correlation Between Neurotrophic Factors and Behavioral Scores in the IGD Group

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

IGD Patient Group

The patient group consists of children aged 10-14 who meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Participants are required to be literate and to have provided written informed consent along with their legal guardians after a comprehensive explanation of the study protocols.

Other: Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical Sampling

Healthy Control Group

The healthy control group consists of volunteer children aged 10-14 who have no current or past history of neuropsychiatric disorders based on comprehensive clinical psychiatric evaluations. Participants are required to be literate and to have provided written informed consent along with their legal guardians, following a detailed explanation of the study's objectives and the assessment scales to be administered.

Other: Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical Sampling

Interventions

Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical Sampling OTHER

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).

Healthy Control Group; IGD Patient Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 14 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of children and adolescents who visit the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinics at Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery between May 2026 and December 2026. The participants will include a patient group meeting the specific inclusion criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder and an age- and gender-matched healthy control group. The control group will be recruited from volunteers attending the psychiatry or pediatric outpatient clinics of the same hospital who meet the control criteria. All participants and their legal guardians will be volunteers who have provided written informed consent after a detailed explanation of the study.

You may qualify if:

• For IGD Patient Group:
• Age: Being between 10 and 14 years of age. Literacy: Ability to read and write fluently. Informed Consent: Voluntary participation with written informed consent obtained from both the participants and their parents/legal guardians after a comprehensive briefing on the study procedures and scales.
• Diagnostic Criteria: Meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and scoring above the clinical cutoff on the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF).
• For Healthy Control Group:
• Age: Children between 10 and 14 years of age. Literacy: Ability to read and write fluently. Clinical Status: No history or current diagnosis of any neuropsychiatric disorder, confirmed through clinical psychiatric assessment.
• Informed Consent: Voluntary participation with written informed consent obtained from both the participants and their parents/legal guardians after a comprehensive briefing on the study procedures and scales.

You may not qualify if:

• Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders: Meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar I Disorder, or Bipolar II Disorder.
• Cognitive and Neurological Impairment: Having a moderate to severe intellectual disability and/or a neurological disease in either the child or the caregiver that would impede the ability to understand instructions or provide reliable responses during the interview.
• Lack of Informed Consent: Refusal to participate voluntarily or failure to sign the informed consent/assent form by the children or their parents/legal guardians after receiving a detailed explanation of the study's purpose and the assessment scales to be administered.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University: lead
• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery

Istanbul, Bakirkoy, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

Peripheral venous blood samples will be collected between 09:00 and 12:00 following a 10-12 hour fasting period. Samples will be drawn into gold-top serum separator tubes (SST) with clot activators. Serum separation will be achieved via centrifugation within 2-3 hours of collection. The resulting serum aliquots will be stored at -80°C until biochemical analysis of BDNF and GDNF levels is performed.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Internet Addiction Disorder; Impulsive Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Technology Addiction; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Kerim Kızıltan, Medical Doctor

CONTACT

+905334319835; kerim.kiziltan@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 1 Week
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Medical Doctor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 10, 2026
• First Posted: May 15, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF

Locations

TU (1)