Pathological gamblers, with and without substance use disorders, discount delayed rewards at high rates.
Pathological gambling is classified as a disorder of impulse control, yet little research has evaluated behavioral indices of impulsivity in gamblers. The rates at which rewards delayed in time are subjectively devalued may be a behavioral marker of impulsivity. This study evaluated delay discounting in 60 pathological gamblers and 26 control participants. Gamblers were divided into those with (n = 21) and without (n = 39) substance use disorders. A hypothetical $1,000 reward was delayed at intervals ranging from 6 hr to 25 years, and immediate rewards varied from $1 to $999. Pathological gamblers discounted delayed rewards at higher rates than control participants, and gamblers with substance use disorders discounted delayed rewards at higher rates than non-substance-abusing gamblers. These data provide further evidence that rapid discounting of delayed rewards may be a feature central to impulse control and addictive disorders, including pathological gambling.
Petry
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Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington 06030-3944, USA. petry@psychiatry.uchc.edu
D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D012201:Reward; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*