Scientists have collected and summarized studies examining how video games can shape our brains and behavior. Research to date suggests that playing video games can change the regions of the brain responsible for attention and visuospatial abilities and make them more efficient. The researchers also looked at studies exploring brain regions associated with the reward system and how these relate to video game addiction. Studies show that playing video games can change the way our brain works and even its structure. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayDo you play video games? If so, you're not alone. Video games are becoming more and more common and are increasingly popular with adults. The average age of players is increasing and in 2016 it was estimated at 35 years. Changing technology also means more people are exposed to video games. Many avid gamers play on desktop computers or consoles, but a new generation of casual gamers has emerged, playing on smartphones and tablets during free moments of the day, such as during the morning commute. So we know that video games are an increasingly common form of entertainment, but do they have any effect on our brains and behavior? Over the years, the media has made various sensationalistic claims about video games and their effects on our health and happiness. "Gaming has sometimes been praised or demonized, often without any real data to back up those claims. Plus, gaming is a popular activity, so everyone seems to have strong opinions on the subject," Marc Palaus, the first author of the review. published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. Palaus and his colleagues wanted to see whether any trends had emerged from the research to date regarding how video games affect the structure and activity of our brains. They compiled the results of 116 scientific studies, 22 of which examined structural changes in the brain and 100 of which examined changes in brain function and/or behavior. Studies show that playing video games can change the way our brain works and even its structure. For example, playing video games affects our attention, and some studies have found that players show improvements in different types of attention, such as sustained attention or selective attention. Brain regions involved in attention are also more efficient in gamers and require less activation to sustain attention on demanding tasks. There is also evidence that video games can increase the size and efficiency of brain regions linked to visuospatial abilities. For example, the right hippocampus was enlarged in both longtime gamers and volunteers following a video game training program. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Video games can also be addictive, and this type of addiction is called “Internet Gaming Disorder.” The researchers discovered functional and structural changes in the neural reward system in gaming addicts, in part by exposing them to gaming cues that trigger cravings and monitoring their neural responses. These neural changes are basically the same as those seen in other addictive disorders. So what do all these brain changes mean? "We focused on how the brain reacts.