title: Similarities and differences between pathological gambling and substance use disorders: a focus on impulsivity and compulsivity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pathological gambling (PG) has recently been considered as a "behavioral" or nonsubstance addiction. A comparison of the characteristics of PG and substance use disorders (SUDs) has clinical ramifications and could help advance future research on these conditions. Specific relationships with impulsivity and compulsivity may be central to understanding PG and SUDs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review was conducted to compare and contrast research findings in PG and SUDs pertaining to neurocognitive tasks, brain function, and neurochemistry, with a focus on impulsivity and compulsivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple similarities were found between PG and SUDs, including poor performance on neurocognitive tasks, specifically with respect to impulsive choice and response tendencies and compulsive features (e.g., response perseveration and action with diminished relationship to goals or reward). Findings suggest dysfunction involving similar brain regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and striatum and similar neurotransmitter systems, including dopaminergic and serotonergic. Unique features exist which may in part reflect influences of acute or chronic exposures to specific substances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both similarities and differences exist between PG and SUDs. Understanding these similarities more precisely may facilitate treatment development across addictions, whereas understanding differences may provide insight into treatment development for specific disorders. Individual differences in features of impulsivity and compulsivity may represent important endophenotypic targets for prevention and treatment strategies.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, CMHC, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06405, USA. robert.leeman@yale.edu
authors: Robert F
authors: RF
authors: Leeman
authors: Marc N
authors: MN
authors: Potenza
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000523:psychology; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D005715:Gambling / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents