The correlation between mood states and functional connectivity within the default mode network can differentiate Internet gaming disorder from healthy controls

•Negative correlations were observed between Depression and FCs among ventral DMN regions.•Negative correlations were observed between Anger and FCs among dorsal DMN regions.•Negative mood states of Depression and Anger might reflect poorer, or might impair, FCs among DMN regions.•The PoMS scores and DMN feature can differentiate IGD from HC.

The default-mode network (DMN) has been suggested to support a baseline state of brain activity. However, whether connectivity within the DMN is associated with mood states remains incompletely understood. The current study examined the correlation between mood state and the functional connectivity (FC) among DMN regions, and examined if the FC can differentiate Internet gaming disorder (IGD) from healthy controls (HC). Resting state data were collected within 108 college students (IGD,41; HC,67). Negative correlations were observed between measures of: (1) Depression and FCs among ventral DMN regions; (2) Anger and FCs among dorsal DMN regions; and, (3) Anger and Depression and FCs of both the ventral and dorsal DMN. The results suggest that negative mood states of Depression and Anger might reflect poorer, or might impair, FCs among DMN regions. In addition, the FC among DMNs could be useful indexes in differencing IGD from HC. Future studies should examine the extent to which the findings may extend to clinical populations and whether increased connectivity of DMN regions may represent a mechanism for reducing negative mood states.