Social and Affective Neuroscience of Gaming : Insights from Fundamentals to Public Mental Health Applications

This book delves into the fascinating intersection of video gaming, social dynamics, and affective neuroscience, offering a comprehensive exploration of how gaming impacts the brain, influences social interactions, and shapes emotional experiences. From unravelling the neurobiological mechanisms underlying gaming behavior to examining its implications for mental well-being and public health, Social and Affective Neuroscience of Gaming provides invaluable insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. With a focus on practical applications, this book equips readers with the knowledge and strategies needed to promote healthy gaming behaviors and enhance mental well-being on both individual and societal levels.

Dr. Lucas Murrins Marques: Instructor Professor at the Mental Health Department of the Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences (DSM-FCMSCSP), where he also supervises graduate students in the Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences. He is also an advisor in the Graduate Program in Medical Sciences at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine (FMUSP). In addition to his academic roles, he serves as Head of Digital Health Research at Infinity Doctors Inc., an international digital health and telemedicine. He holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Mackenzie Presbyterian University (UPM, 2014), including a sandwich program at the University of Minho in Portugal through the Science Without Borders program (CNPq). He earned both his Master’s and Ph.D. in Developmental Disorders from UPM (2016 and 2020), supported by FAPESP scholarships. From 2019 to 2021, he worked as a Senior Researcher in Wellbeing Sciences at Natura & Co. Between 2021 and 2024, he was a postdoctoral fellow in Neurophysiology at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IMREA), University of São Paulo School of Medicine (HCFMUSP), also funded by FAPESP.

Dr. Ricardo Riyoti Uchida: Associate Professor and Head in the Mental Health Department at the Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences. (DSM-FCSMSCSP). He is a mentor in the Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences at FCMSCSP. He coordinates the Lato Sensu Postgraduate Courses in Psychiatry, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mental Health at FCMSCSP. Additionally, he supervises the Psychiatry and Psychopathology courses in the fourth year and Psychiatry Internship in the sixth year of the medical undergraduate program.

Pedro Makoto Uchida: Currently studying psychology at Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUCC), developing various areas of knowledge. In addition, has a great interest in the area of games, behaviour, and mental health, thus participating in national and international research groups to contribute to the creation of articles in the field.

Dr. Victor Henrique Oyamada Otani: Researcher and Instructor Professor at the Mental Health Department - Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences. (DSM-FCMSCSP), Coordinator of Lato Sensu Postgraduate Courses in Psychiatry. Coordinator of the Innovation Unit at DSM-FCMSCSP, former Supervisor of the Psychiatry Residency Program at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP). He graduated in Medicine from FCMSCSP; trained as a psychiatrist by ISCMSP and certified by the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP); obtained his Master's and Doctorate degrees at FCMSCSP. He serves as a preceptor for residents in the Psychiatry Residency Program at ISCMSP.

Dr. Joao Ricardo Nickenig Vissoci: With a background in psychology and data science, earned his PhD in Social Psychology from Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Sao Paulo/Brazil. Currently an assistant professor at Duke University in Emergency Medicine, Global Health, and Neurosurgery, he previously served as an assistant professor of Public Health in Brazil. Dr. Vissoci completed postdoctoral fellowships in data science at the University of Sao Paulo and Duke Global Health Institute. He co-directs the Global Emergency Medicine Innovation and Implementation (GEMINI) Research Center and is a faculty member of the Research Design and Analysis Core (RDAC) at DGHI. As chief of the Division of Translational Health Sciences in Duke's Department of Emergency Medicine, he also leads the Geoprocessing and Technology research group (GETS) at the State University of Maringá/Brazil. His research focuses on leveraging data and technology to address access and equity gaps in low-resource settings, translating evidence into impactful practice or policy.