[Not Available].
Although most people consider gambling as a recreational activity, some individuals lose control and enter into a spiral of compulsive gambling with dramatic consequences. The many similarities with substance addiction have led psychiatrists to redefine pathological gambling as a behavioural addiction. A number of neurobiological hypotheses originating from this framework have been tested in the past ten years, in particular using neuroimaging. Similarly to substance addiction, a number of observations indicate a central role for dopamine in pathological gambling. However the underlying mechanism seems to be different and is still poorly understood. Neuropsychological studies have shown decision-making deficits in pathological gamblers, accompanied by a lack of inhibition and cognitive flexibility. This disruption of so-called "executive functions" is typical of frontal lobe dysfunction. Finally, functional MRI studies have revealed abnormal reactivity within the brain regions of the " reward system ", including the striatum and ventro-medial prefrontal cortex. These regions are over-activated by gambling cues, and under-activated by monetary gains. However, the scarcity and heterogeneity of brain imaging studies currently hinders the development of a coherent neurobiological model of pathological gambling. Further replications and diversification of approaches will be needed in the coming years in order to produce such a model that will have the ability to inform prevention and treatment strategies.
Guillaume
G
Sescousse
D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D005715:Gambling / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000639:trends*; D012201:Reward