Internet Gaming DisorderNCT07590180
Neurotrophic Factors, Impulsivity, and Reward Sensitivity in Children With Internet Gaming Disorder
An observational study of Internet Gaming Disorder and Internet Addiction, run by Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Research and knowledge regarding the neurobiology of behavioral addictions and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) remain limited compared to substance and alcohol use disorders. However, IGD is increasingly causing significant functional impairment, particularly in the child and adolescent population. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 14 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Internet Gaming Disorder, Internet Addiction
- What is being tested?
- Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical Sampling
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2026to Jan 2027
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Week
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 10 to 14 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Study population: The study population will consist of children and adolescents who visit the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinics at Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery between May 2026 and December 2026. The participants will include a patient group meeting the specific inclusion criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder and an age- and gender-matched healthy control group. The control group will be recruited from volunteers attending the psychiatry or pediatric outpatient clinics of the same hospital who meet the control criteria. All participants and their legal guardians will be volunteers who have provided written informed consent after a detailed explanation of the study.
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery
Istanbul, Bakirkoy
About this study
Official title: Investigation of the Relationship Between Serum BDNF and GDNF Levels and Impulsivity, Reward/Punishment Sensitivity in Children Diagnosed With Internet Gaming Disorder
Research and knowledge regarding the neurobiology of behavioral addictions and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) remain limited compared to substance and alcohol use disorders. However, IGD is increasingly causing significant functional impairment, particularly in the child and adolescent population. The primary objective of this study is to measure the serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)-both known for their roles in neurogenesis and neuroprotective effects-in a patient group aged 10-14 and a healthy control group. Additionally, this study aims to investigate the relationship between these neurotrophic factor levels and disease severity, as well as various behavioral and emotional parameters measured through psychometric assessments, to identify differences between the patient and healthy populations.
Researchers will compare IGD patient group with healthy control group, both aged 10-14.
Read more
Participants and their parents will be asked to fill self-report measures and serum samples of participants will be collected for BDNF and GDNF level measurements.
The main questions of the study are:
- Is there a difference in serum BDNF and GDNF levels between IGD patient group and healthy controls?
- Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and IGD severity?
- Is there a difference in impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity between IGD patient group and healthy controls
- Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity scores in IGD patient group?
Read the detailed description
Between May 2026 and December 2026, informed consent and assent will be obtained from participants and their parents/legal guardians after a comprehensive explanation of the study objectives, psychometric scales, and psychiatric evaluation protocols. This research is designed as a cross-sectional case-control study. The patient group will include children and adolescents diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) according to DSM-5 criteria. The control group will consist of age- and gender-matched individuals attending psychiatry or pediatric outpatient clinics or volunteers who meet the control inclusion criteria and have provided written informed consent.
The primary investigator will conduct clinical psychiatric interviews with all participants in both the case and control groups to verify eligibility and diagnostic status. The following psychometric instruments will be administered:
For children (Case and Control groups): Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale for Children (C-UPPS-P), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) - Child Form, and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI).
For parents (Case and Control groups): SCARED - Parent Form, and the Turgay DSM-IV-based Screening and Assessment Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders (Turgay ADHD Scale).
Joint Assessments: The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and a sociodemographic data form will be administered to both the children and their parents by the researcher.
For biochemical analysis, peripheral venous blood samples will be collected from all participants following a 10-12 hour fasting period between 09:00 and 12:00. Samples will be drawn into gold-top (serum separator) tubes and transported within 2-3 hours to the Brain and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Laboratory at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Department of Neuroscience. Blood tubes will be centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 minutes. The separated serum will be aliquoted into 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes and stored at -80°C until the final analysis. Once the sample collection phase is complete, serum BDNF and GDNF levels will be determined using Human BDNF (ELH-BDNF-1, RayBiotech) and Human GDNF (ELH-GDNF-1, RayBiotech) ELISA kits. ELISA assays will be conducted strictly following the manufacturers' protocols at the aforementioned laboratory.
- Conditions
- Internet Gaming Disorder, Internet Addiction
- Being tested
- Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical Sampling
- Keywords
- Internet addiction, Child and adolescent psychiatry, Neurogenesis, Neurotrophic factors, BDNF, GDNF, Impulsivity, Reward/punishment sensitivity, Internet gaming disorder
- Medical subject headings
- Internet Addiction Disorder, Impulsive Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical SamplingOther
Participants and their parents will undergo a cross-sectional clinical psychiatric interview conducted by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Following the interview, both participants and their parents will be required to complete a battery of standardized self-report and parent-report psychometric scales. At the conclusion of the clinical assessment, a peripheral venous blood sample will be collected from each participant for serum biochemical analysis of neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GDNF).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| IGD Patient Group | The patient group consists of children aged 10-14 who meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Participants are required to be literate and to have provided written informed consent along with their legal guardians after a comprehensive explanation of the study protocols. Receives: Other: Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical Sampling | |
| Healthy Control Group | The healthy control group consists of volunteer children aged 10-14 who have no current or past history of neuropsychiatric disorders based on comprehensive clinical psychiatric evaluations. Participants are required to be literate and to have provided written informed consent along with their legal guardians, following a detailed explanation of the study's objectives and the assessment scales to be administered. Receives: Other: Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical Sampling |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Comparison of Serum BDNF and GDNF Levels
Serum concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) will be measured in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) to identify biological differences between the Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) group and healthy controls.
Measured: Baseline (at the time of enrollment)
Differences in Impulsivity and Reward/Punishment Sensitivity Scores
Comparison of psychometric assessment scores between the IGD group and healthy controls to evaluate behavioral differences.
Measured: Baseline (at the time of enrollment)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Correlation Between Neurotrophic Factors and Behavioral Scores in the IGD Group
Analyzing the specific relationship between serum BDNF/GDNF levels and psychometric scores of impulsivity and reward/punishment sensitivity within the patient group diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 May 2026
- Study start1 May 2026
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionJan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Internet Gaming DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 1 Week
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kerim Kızıltan, Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07590180
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/148
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 10 May 2026
- Last updated
- 15 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The participants' age, scores of the clinical scales examined in the study, and levels of serum samples will be shared. In other words, the necessary data relevant to the purpose of the study will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Relationship Between Serum BDNF and GDNF Levels and Impulsivity, Reward/Punishment Sensitivity in Children Diagnosed With Internet Gaming Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07590180
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026/148
- Conditions
- Internet Gaming Disorder, Internet Addiction
- Keywords
- Internet addiction, Child and adolescent psychiatry, Neurogenesis, Neurotrophic factors, BDNF, GDNF, Impulsivity, Reward/punishment sensitivity
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Study start
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Research and knowledge regarding the neurobiology of behavioral addictions and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) remain limited compared to substance and alcohol use disorders. However, IGD is increasingly causing significant functional impairment, particularly in the child and adolescent population. The primary objective of this study is to measure the serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)-both known for their roles in neurogenesis and neuroprotective effects-in a patient group aged 10-14 and a healthy control group. Additionally, this study aims to investigate the relationship between these neurotrophic factor levels and disease severity, as well as various behavioral and emotional parameters measured through psychometric assessments, to identify differences between the patient and healthy populations.
Researchers will compare IGD patient group with healthy control group, both aged 10-14.
Participants and their parents will be asked to fill self-report measures and serum samples of participants will be collected for BDNF and GDNF level measurements.
The main questions of the study are:
- Is there a difference in serum BDNF and GDNF levels between IGD patient group and healthy controls?
- Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and IGD severity?
- Is there a difference in impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity between IGD patient group and healthy controls
- Is there a relation between serum BDNF and GDNF levels and impulsivity, reward/punishment sensitivity scores in IGD patient group?
Detailed description
Between May 2026 and December 2026, informed consent and assent will be obtained from participants and their parents/legal guardians after a comprehensive explanation of the study objectives, psychometric scales, and psychiatric evaluation protocols. This research is designed as a cross-sectional case-control study. The patient group will include children and adolescents diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) according to DSM-5 criteria. The control group will consist of age- and gender-matched individuals attending psychiatry or pediatric outpatient clinics or volunteers who meet the control inclusion criteria and have provided written informed consent.
The primary investigator will conduct clinical psychiatric interviews with all participants in both the case and control groups to verify eligibility and diagnostic status. The following psychometric instruments will be administered:
For children (Case and Control groups): Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale for Children (C-UPPS-P), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) - Child Form, and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI).
For parents (Case and Control groups): SCARED - Parent Form, and the Turgay DSM-IV-based Screening and Assessment Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders (Turgay ADHD Scale).
Joint Assessments: The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and a sociodemographic data form will be administered to both the children and their parents by the researcher.
For biochemical analysis, peripheral venous blood samples will be collected from all participants following a 10-12 hour fasting period between 09:00 and 12:00. Samples will be drawn into gold-top (serum separator) tubes and transported within 2-3 hours to the Brain and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Laboratory at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Department of Neuroscience. Blood tubes will be centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 minutes. The separated serum will be aliquoted into 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes and stored at -80°C until the final analysis. Once the sample collection phase is complete, serum BDNF and GDNF levels will be determined using Human BDNF (ELH-BDNF-1, RayBiotech) and Human GDNF (ELH-GDNF-1, RayBiotech) ELISA kits. ELISA assays will be conducted strictly following the manufacturers' protocols at the aforementioned laboratory.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Target follow-up
- 1 Week
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| IGD Patient Group | – | Other: Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical SamplingThe patient group consists of children aged 10-14 who meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Participants are required to be literate and to have provided written informed consent along with their legal guardians after a comprehensive explanation of the study protocols. |
| Healthy Control Group | – | Other: Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical SamplingThe healthy control group consists of volunteer children aged 10-14 who have no current or past history of neuropsychiatric disorders based on comprehensive clinical psychiatric evaluations. Participants are required to be literate and to have provided written informed consent along with their legal guardians, following a detailed explanation of the study's objectives and the assessment scales to be administered. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 14 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
- Study population
- The study population will consist of children and adolescents who visit the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinics at Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery between May 2026 and December 2026. The participants will include a patient group meeting the specific inclusion criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder and an age- and gender-matched healthy control group. The control group will be recruited from volunteers attending the psychiatry or pediatric outpatient clinics of the same hospital who meet the control criteria. All participants and their legal guardians will be volunteers who have provided written informed consent after a detailed explanation of the study.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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).
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Evaluation and Biochemical SamplingParticipants and their parents will undergo a cross-sectional clinical psychiatric interview conducted by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Following the interview, both participants and their parents will be required to complete a battery of standardized self-report and parent-report psychometric scales. At the conclusion of the clinical assessment, a peripheral venous blood sample will be collected from each participant for serum biochemical analysis of neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GDNF). | Other | Healthy Control Group, IGD Patient Group |
Primary outcome
Comparison of Serum BDNF and GDNF Levels
Time frame: Baseline (at the time of enrollment)
Serum concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) will be measured in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) to identify biological differences between the Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) group and healthy controls.
Differences in Impulsivity and Reward/Punishment Sensitivity Scores
Time frame: Baseline (at the time of enrollment)
Comparison of psychometric assessment scores between the IGD group and healthy controls to evaluate behavioral differences.
1 secondary outcome
Correlation Between Neurotrophic Factors and Behavioral Scores in the IGD Group
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The participants' age, scores of the clinical scales examined in the study, and levels of serum samples will be shared. In other words, the necessary data relevant to the purpose of the study will be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Internet Gaming Disorder and Internet Addiction, run by Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Kerim Kızıltan, Medical Doctor (+905334319835, kerim.kiziltan@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Comparison of Serum BDNF and GDNF Levels (time frame: Baseline (at the time of enrollment)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 May 2026.