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Neurobiology of Disordered Gambling

  • Gambling (J Derevensky, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Gambling disorder affects 0.4 to 1.9 % of adults worldwide and is commonly associated with significant psychosocial dysfunction.

Methods

This article provides a concise primer on recent research examining the neurobiological underpinnings of gambling disorder.

Results

Although impulsivity has been seen as one cognitive component underlying gambling disorder, compulsivity may be equally important to examine. Although causality remains elusive, structural and functional neuroimaging data suggest dysfunction in top-down executive control in gambling disorder. Recent twin research suggests that gambling disorder may have genetic links to both gambling and to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Conclusions

Understanding the neurobiology of gambling disorder may lead to improved treatment approaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Jon E. Grant

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  1. Jon E. Grant
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Correspondence to Jon E. Grant.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Jon Grant has received research grant support from NIDA, NCRG, Brainsway, TLC Foundation for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Psyadon Pharmaceuticals, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. He has also received royalties from American Psychiatric Publishing Inc., Oxford University Press, Norton, Johns Hopkins Press, and McGraw Hill Publishers.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Gambling

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Grant, J.E. Neurobiology of Disordered Gambling. Curr Addict Rep 3, 445–449 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-016-0119-6

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