Internet addiction is defined as the problematic patterns of Internet use that may result from dysfunction of im-pulsive behaviors and inhibitory functions. Previous neu-roimaging research has suggested that Internet addiction may be associated with ineffective connectivity between and within brain networks of frontal regions involved in cognitive control processes. In this study, we examine whether and how individual differences in the tendency to develop Internet addiction modulate electrophysiological signals using resting- state electroencephalography (EEG). Ninety- six healthy young participants were recruited to undergo resting- state EEG recording and their propen-sity to develop Internet addiction was measured using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. The Phase Lag Index (PLI) across 8 frequency bands was calculated to assess the strength of functional connectivity for each participant. The EEG results showed significant effects of Internet ad-diction in the delta band (1- 4 Hz) and three gamma bands (30- 40 Hz, 40- 50 Hz, and 50- 60 Hz), indicating higher PLI values in frontal regions in individuals with greater Internet addiction tendencies compared to normal con-trols. Our results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that individuals with a tendency to develop Internet ad-diction are involved in altered psychophysiological signals and disrupted brain mechanisms associated with inhibi-tory control processes.
