Many people who spend long hours surfing the Internet. They so do not bother with the time and other tasks so as addiction. According to researchers from the University of Bonn and the German Institute of Mental Health, the behavior was influenced by genetic factors.
University of Bonn researchers download the survey of 843 people over the past few years for their internet behavior. Analysis of the questionnaire showed that 132 people have behavioral problems associated with the Internet. In everyday life, they have a very strong mental bond with the virtual world. They even ignore the other things are more important.
The scientists compared the DNA of an internet addict with healthy volunteers. At 132 people, there are regions of certain genes that differ significantly, including the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain known as gene mutations that supports nicotine addiction. Nicotine in tobacco is similar to acetylcholine produced by the human body is the key to this receptor. These two neurotransmitters play an important role for the activation of the reward (reward system) in the brain. “Mutations of these genes seems not only important in nicotine addiction, but also in Internet addiction,” says researcher Dr. Christian Montag from the University of Bonn.
These mutations are located in genes “CHRNA4? that alter the genetic makeup of the subunit “alpha 4? nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. “This variant occurs in a group of subjects with a problematic Internet behavior – especially among women,” said Montag. These findings should be further investigated as opposed to many surveys that show that more men than women who are addicted to the internet.
These findings may be related to gender in a specific subset of Internet addiction, such as the use of social networking (social media) and gaming. Women are generally addicted to Facebook, Twitter and other online gaming addiction and men.
Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between gene mutations and internet addiction. “However, the data show clear evidence of molecular genetic causes of Internet addiction,” said Montag. Knowing this relationship in more detail the better therapeutic indications can be found.
In Germany, more than half a million people aged between 14 and 64 years is estimated to have internet addiction. About 2.5 million people are classified as problematic internet users. Most at risk are in the age group 14 to 24 years in which 2.4 percent of their addiction, 13.6 percent had a problem using the internet.
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