Simultaneously using mobile phones, laptops and
other media devices could be changing the structure
of our brains, according to new University of Sussex
research.
A study reveals that people who frequently use
several media devices at the same time have lower
grey-matter density in one particular region of the
brain compared to those who use just one device
occasionally.
"The research supports earlier studies showing
connections between high media-multitasking activity
and poor attention in the face of distractions,
along with emotional problems such as depression and
anxiety.
But neuroscientists Kep Kee Loh and Dr Ryota Kanai
point out that their study reveals a link rather
than causality and that a long-term study needs to
be carried out to understand whether high concurrent
media usage leads to changes in the brain structure,
or whether those with less-dense grey matter are
more attracted to media multitasking.
The researchers at the University of Sussex’s
Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science used
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to look
at the brain structures of 75 adults, who had all
answered a questionnaire regarding their use and
consumption of media devices, including mobile
phones and computers, as well as television and
print media.
They found that, independent of individual
personality traits, people who used a higher number
of media devices concurrently also had smaller grey
matter density in the part of the brain known as the
anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the region notably
responsible for cognitive and emotional control
functions.
Kep Kee Loh says: “Media multitasking is becoming
more prevalent in our lives today and there is
increasing concern about its impacts on our
cognition and social-emotional well-being. Our study
was the first to reveal links between media
multitasking and brain structure.”
Scientists have previously demonstrated that brain
structure can be altered upon prolonged exposure to
novel environments and experience. The neural
pathways and synapses can change based on our
behaviours, environment, emotions, and can happen at
the cellular level (in the case of learning and
memory) or cortical re-mapping, which is how
specific functions of a damaged brain region could
be re-mapped to a remaining intact region.
Other studies have shown that training (such as
learning to juggle, or taxi drivers learning the map
of London) can increase grey-matter densities in
certain parts of the brain.
“The exact mechanisms of these changes are still
unclear,” says Kep Kee Loh. “Although it is
conceivable that individuals with small ACC are more
susceptible to multitasking situations due to weaker
ability in cognitive control or socio-emotional
regulation, it is equally plausible that higher
levels of exposure to multitasking situations leads
to structural changes in the ACC. A longitudinal
study is required to unambiguously determine the
direction of causation.”
For more information
PLOS ONE
‘High
media multi-tasking is associated with smaller
gray-matter density in the anterior cingulate cortex’
by Kep Kee Loh and Dr Ryota Kanai
University of Sussex
MDN |