Files and links (1)
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access Discount via Drexel Libraries Read and Publish Program 2025CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Cognitive Control and Prefrontal Neural Efficiency in Experienced and Novice E-Gamers
Brain sciences, v 15(6), 568
25 May 2025
PMID: 40563740
Featured in Collection : Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
Abstract
Background: Cognitive control (CC) underpins our ability to maintain task focus, update goals, and flexibly shift between strategies, and it is closely tied to prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. Electronic gaming (e-gaming), such as the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, is a specialized domain that demands refined CC skills developed over years of practice. Although previous research has demonstrated that PFC hemodynamic activity can effectively evaluate CC in several skilled domains, the impact of prolonged FPS experience on CC and its underlying neural correlates remains unclear. Objectives: In this study, we examined differences in both behavioral performance and PFC hemodynamic responses between 70 novices and 50 experienced FPS gamers (n=120). Methods: We targeted three core CC subdomains—updating, shifting, and inhibition—by employing the Digit–Symbol Substitution Task, Dual Visual Search Task, and Stroop Task, respectively. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based PFC activity was recorded as participants engaged in each task. Results: Experienced gamers showed higher levels of prefrontal neural efficiency for updating and shifting, but minimal differences for inhibitory control. Conclusions: These findings inform neuroergonomic approaches to performance evaluation and may be generalized to other complex, real-world environments that rely on extensive training for skill acquisition.
Metrics
5 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Cognitive Control and Prefrontal Neural Efficiency in Experienced and Novice E-Gamers
- Creators
- Jan L Watson - Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health SystemsAdrian B Curtin - Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health SystemsYigit Topoglu - Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health SystemsRajneesh Suri - Drexel University, Bennett S. LeBow College of BusinessHasan Ayaz (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Publication Details
- Brain sciences, v 15(6), 568
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 16
- Grant note
- Drexel Solutions Institute
This research was funded in part by Drexel Solutions Institute.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); Drexel Solutions Institute; Bennett S. LeBow College of Business; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001517623300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105009135971
- Other Identifier
- 991022053435204721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Neurosciences