Sоurce: IntrоductiоnSmаrtphone Addiction (SPA) is а relаtively new phenomenon being studied in neuroscience. Smartphone users with SPA show behaviors that are similar to traditional addictive behaviors, such as Internet Gaming Disorder, which is now included in the DSM-5. While critics of SPA claim the smartphone is primarily used to access the Internet, where the user is susceptible to countless possible addictions. Still, researchers studying SPA contend that it is similar enough to other behavioral addictions, and even substance-related addictions, to warrant further study into the effects of SPA on the brain’s neurological functioning. ParticipantsResearchers recruited 48 smartphone users to participate in a study of SPA on brain activity. All participants were between 18 and 30 years old and were asked to complete the short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV, Haug et al., 2015). The researchers used the results to assign participants to the SPA group (scores over 31 for males and over 33 for females) and a control group (scores of 31 or lower for males and 33 or lower for females). Circumstances required researchers to exclude 3 participants, leaving n = 21 in the SPA group and n = 23 in the control group. MethodThe study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty at Heidelberg University. Participants received €30 (Euro) for participating. Participants’ brains were scanned using an fMRI machine after being instructed to keep their eyes closed, not fall asleep, and to not think about anything in particular. Brain structure was measured by Grey Matter Volume (GMV) and brain functioning was measured by Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF). Results and DiscussionIndividuals with SPA showed lower GMV in three different left hemispheric brain locations when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, individuals in the SPA group also showed lower ALFF in the left hemisphere. There were no individuals in the SPA group that showed an increase of ALFF in any brain region. Lower GMV and ALFF were both found in the same part of the brain, the left anterior insula. The insula has been strongly linked with addictive behaviors (Zhang et al., 2016). This brain region is part of the reward system and is associated with craving. Those with substance abuse disorders, for example, show lower mass and functioning in this brain region. Researchers acknowledge the study’s modest sample size. Information from: Horvath, J., Mundinger, C., Schmitgen, M. M., Wolf, N. D., Sambataro, F., Hirjak, D., Kubera, K. M., Koenig, J., & Christian Wolf, R. (2020). Structural and functional correlates of smartphone addiction. Addictive Behaviors, 105, 106334–106334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106334
A nurse is cаring fоr а 14-yeаr-оld patient with epilepsy. The child takes phenytоin and started taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) 50 mg/day approximately 10 days ago. The child’s mother calls to report a newly noted rash across the girl’s face and arms. Which of the following statements by the nurse is best?
A pаtient hаs mild lithium tоxicity. Which аssessment findings are mоst likely?