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Study Links Excessive Smartphone Use to Brain Changes

4/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

A review in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry analyzes the neurobiological basis of problematic smartphone use, drawing on 35 studies.
Findings link excessive use to brain changes in reward processing and emotional regulation.
They report reduced gray matter in specific regions and altered connectivity that affects attention and impulse control.
The study highlights social cognition, linking cues to emotional responses, while the authors call for longitudinal research.

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Story summary

A review in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry analyzes the neurobiological basis of problematic smartphone use, drawing on 35 studies.
Findings link excessive use to brain changes in reward processing and emotional regulation.
They report reduced gray matter in specific regions and altered connectivity that affects attention and impulse control.
The study highlights social cognition, linking cues to emotional responses, while the authors call for longitudinal research.