Neurotrophic factors, impulsivity, and reward in children with internet gaming disorder

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This cross-sectional case-control study compares serum BDNF and GDNF levels between children with Internet Gaming Disorder and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. It also examines how these neurotrophic factors relate to IGD severity and various behavioral and emotional measures using standardized psychometric tools. Participants and their parents will undergo clinical interviews and provide informed consent, with data collected from May to December 2026 at a psychiatric outpatient setting in Istanbul. The analysis will explore associations between biomarkers and behavioral assessments to understand potential neurobiological underpinnings of IGD in youth.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

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.

Exclusion Criteria:

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.

Where it's running

• Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery
  Istanbul, Bakirkoy, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Kerim Kızıltan, Medical Doctor
• Email: kerim.kiziltan@gmail.com
• Phone: +905334319835

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Dual-target Neurofeedback Therapy for Internet Gaming Disorder

  We test a dual-target neurofeedback approach to see if it helps improve cognitive control in young adults with Internet Gaming Disorder.

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• Digital parenting program to reduce mothers' social media use and shape preschoolers' technology attitudes

  This randomized program will test whether an eight-session digital parenting course helps mothers cut down social media use and improve how they handle their preschool children's technology.

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• Improving cognitive control in individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder through social reward interventions

  This study is testing if a self-help program that boosts social rewards can help people with Internet Gaming Disorder improve their focus and control over their gaming habits.

  Recruiting The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University · Bengbu · NCT06957392

• Chatbot intervention to help adolescents with digital addictions

  This study tests if a chatbot can help teenagers aged 10-19 reduce their gaming and social media addiction better than just receiving information about these issues.

  Recruiting Chinese University of Hong Kong · Hong Kong · NCT06821373

• Collective Motivational Interviewing for adolescents with internet gaming disorder

  This study tests whether collective motivational interviewing plus education materials helps teens with probable IGD reduce gaming symptoms and gain more support from a chosen caregiver or family member.

  Recruiting Hong Kong College of Technology · Shatin · NCT05917977

• Is craving a key part of diagnosing behavioral addictions?

  Researchers are testing whether craving should be a formal clue for diagnosing various behavioral addictions like gambling, gaming, screen use, food, and sex/porn use.

  Recruiting University of Bordeaux · Bordeaux · NCT07854912

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.