Problem Gambling Reactions Caused by Brain Chemistry
Rsearchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Nottingham have found that problem gamblers react differently to gaming stimuli due to differences in the chemical activity of their brains from casual gamblers, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience. The survey demonstrated that dopamine production in problem gambling victims was significantly higher than in normal individuals, especially in betting situations that almost but do not win.Dr. Luke Clark and Dr. Henry Chase, the lead researchers, say that measuring the strength of dopamine reaction to these near misses may allow accurate diagnosis of the severity of the compulsive gambling in the individual. Dopamine is released into the brain to encourage behavior that earns desireable results.
The experiment was conducted by using MRI observation of the responses in the brains of 20 gamblers. A video slot with two reels was used, designed to pay whenever two icons matched. While all other results were losers, results that ended with icons a row apart were deemed near misses.
The researchers found that problem gambling sufferers had the same dopamine paths opened by near misses as wins.
"These findings are exciting because they suggest that near-miss outcomes may elicit a dopamine response in the more severe gamblers, despite the fact that no actual reward is delivered," Clark said. "If these bursts of dopamine are driving addictive behavior, this may help to explain why problem gamblers find it so difficult to quit."
The results are consistent with other studies showing problem gambling is a symptom of pre-existing conditions in individuals, making them vulnerable to compulsion control disorders and addictions.
