Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Function in Pathological Gambling

CNS Spectrums ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concetta M. DeCaria ◽  
Tomer Begaz ◽  
Eric Hollander
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Serotonergic System ◽  
Noradrenergic System ◽  
Neurotransmitter Systems ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Pharmacologic Intervention ◽  
Pharmacologic Agents ◽  
Noradrenergic Function

AbstractResearch on pathological gambling has begun to demonstrate the significant pathophysiologic role of several neurotransmitter systems in this disorder. Challenge studies with various pharmacologic agents have suggested the importance of potential dysregulation of the serotonergic system in pathological gambling, as this system is linked to dysfunction in behavioral initiation and inhibition. In addition, the noradrenergic system has been associated with mediation of arousal, increases of which are manifested by pathological gamblers. The interactions between these and other neurotransmitter systems, as well as the similarities between pathological gambling and other behavioral disorders, may provide important clues for pharmacologic intervention.

Dysregulation of emotions among pathological gamblers: The role of savoring

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S394-S394
Author(s):  
G. Rogier ◽  
P. Velotti
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽  
Regulation Strategies

IntroductionTheories have conceptualized pathological gambling as an attempt to cope with emotional states. However, there is a lack of research about emotion dysregulation in this population. In a similar way, few is known about the nature of emotion regulation strategies used by pathological gamblers. Furthermore, it is not clear if pathological gamblers have difficulties to regulate negative emotions (as sadness) or positive ones (as excitement).ObjectivesWe sought to explore the associations among pathological gambling, emotion dysregulation and different types of emotion regulation strategies, comparing a clinical sample with community participants.AimsTo highlight similarities and differences in emotion dysregulation between pathological gamblers and healthy participants.MethodsA sample of pathological gamblers and a sample of healthy men, were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Difficulties in Emotion regulation Scale-Positive (DERS-P), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the Ways of Savoring Checklist (WOSC).ResultsAs expected, both levels of emotion dysregulation and suppression were significantly higher in the clinical sample while levels of savoring and reappraisal were significantly higher in the community sample.ConclusionsSuch results confirm the theorization of pathological gambling as a dysfunctional response to emotional states and underline the role of positive emotions. Specifically, pathological gamblers may be prone to suppress negative emotions instead to engage in functional strategies as reappraisal. Gamblers also fail to regulate positive emotions showing a poor capacity of savoring positive moments.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Genetic approaches to the investigation of serotonergic neuron functions in animals

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 448-455
Author(s):  
U. S. Drozd ◽  
E. V. Shaburova ◽  
N. N. Dygalo
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Serotonergic System ◽  
Serotonergic Neurons ◽  
Neurotransmitter Systems ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Serotonin System ◽  
The Brain

The serotonergic system is one of the most important neurotransmitter systems that take part in the regulation of vital CNS functions. The understanding of its mechanisms will help scientists create new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of mental and neurodegenerative diseases and find out how this neurotransmitter system interacts with other parts of the brain and regulates their activity. Since the serotonergic system anatomy and functionality are heterogeneous and complex, the best tools for studying them are based on manipulation of individual types of neurons without affecting neurons of other neurotransmitter systems. The selective cell control is possible due to the genetic determinism of their functions. Proteins that determine the uniqueness of the cell type are expressed under the regulation of cell-specific promoters. By using promoters that are specific for genes of the serotonin system, one can control the expression of a gene of interest in serotonergic neurons. Here we review approaches based on such promoters. The genetic models to be discussed in the article have already shed the light on the role of the serotonergic system in modulating behavior and processing sensory information. In particular, genetic knockouts of serotonin genes sert, pet1, and tph2 promoted the determination of their contribution to the development and functioning of the brain. In addition, the review describes inducible models that allow gene expression to be controlled at various developmental stages. Finally, the application of these genetic approaches in optogenetics and chemogenetics provided a new resource for studying the functions, discharge activity, and signal transduction of serotonergic neurons. Nevertheless, the advantages and limitations of the discussed genetic approaches should be taken into consideration in the course of creating models of pathological conditions and developing pharmacological treatments for their correction.

Altered dopamine function in pathological gambling

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 473-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. BERGH ◽  
T. EKLUND ◽  
P. SÖDERSTEN ◽  
C. NORDIN
Keyword(s):  
Selective Attention ◽  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Dopaminergic System ◽  
Noradrenergic System ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid ◽  
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ◽  
Monoamines And Their Metabolites

Background. The possibility that monoaminergic neurotransmission is altered in pathological gambling was examined.Methods. Monoamines and their metabolites were measured in CSF obtained at level L4–5 from ten pathological gamblers and seven controls.Results. A decrease in dopamine and an increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanilic acid was found. Noradrenaline and its metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol was also increased but 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were unchanged.Conclusion. It is suggested that the function of the dopaminergic system, possibly mediating positive and negative reward, and the noradrenergic system, possibly mediating selective attention, is changed in pathological gambling.

Epidemiology and Phenomenology of Pathological Gambling

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Clark
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Cognitive Distortions ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Gambling Behavior ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Biopsychosocial Theory ◽  
Categorical Models

Pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder (ICD) characterized by loss of control over gambling behavior. This chapter will describe the illness profile of pathological gambling. As well as summarizing the epidemiological data on the prevalence of pathological gambling and its associated comorbidities, I will also consider (1) the classificatory overlap between pathological gambling, the substance use disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder; (2) the emerging evidence for dimensional rather than categorical models of disordered gambling; and (3) some of the sources of hererogeneity among pathological gamblers, including the differences between common games. In the second part of the chapter, I will review several sets of psychological and neurobiological factors that are implicated in the etiology of pathological gambling, including the role of physiological arousal (“excitement”), conditioning influences, cognitive distortions, personality trait variables, and neuropsychological and neuroimaging markers. These mechanisms are often complementary, and a biopsychosocial theory of gambling will incorporate multiple levels of explanation.

Training, Supervising, and Supporting Students With Emotional–Behavioral Disorders as Cross-Age Tutors

2021 ◽  
pp. 105345122110148
Author(s):  
Gavin W. Watts ◽  
John W. McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Instructional Delivery ◽  
Behavioral Skills ◽  
Intervention Models ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Effective Procedures ◽  
Students With Ebd

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are frequently on the receiving end of intervention models (e.g., social skills training) in which targeted skills are modeled and practiced in unnatural arrangements (i.e., teacher-lead). Special educators consistently report a need for effective interventions and instructional arrangements that promote social-behavioral skills of students with EBD in natural learning environments (i.e., with peers). When students with EBD are provided the opportunity to serve in the role of tutor (i.e., on the instructional delivery end of the model), increases in academic and behavioral skills have been found for both tutors and tutees. This article provides an overview of effective procedures and considerations for training, supervising, and supporting students with EBD as cross-age tutors.

The role of tryptophan in hepatic encephalopathy

1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
C. Aaldijk ◽  
W.W. Van Den Broek ◽  
R.C. Van Der Mast
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Clinical Picture ◽  
Serotonergic System ◽  
Pathogenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Glutamine Synthesis ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Tryptophan Uptake

SummaryIn this review the most important hypotheses for the occurrence of the clinical picture of hepatic encephalopathy are discussed. As possible pathogenetic mechanisms are raised: dysfunction of the serotonergic system due to an increased tryptophan uptake in the brain, an elevated intracerebral ammoniac concentration and glutamine synthesis, and a heightened intracerebral GABA-activity.The dysregulation of the serotonergic system as a consequence of the increased intracerebral tryptophan uptake is described as one of the most important pathogenetic mechanisms. The elevated intracerebral ammoniac concentration and the elevated intracerebral glutamine synthesis play in this a facilitating role. The similarity in symptomatology of the clinical picture of HE and the serotonergic syndrome support this hypothesis. Due to contradictory research findings the role of the GABA-ergic system and the occurrence of HE remains unclear.

Serotonin Dysfunction in Pathological Gamblers: Increased Prolactin Response to Oral m-CPP Versus Placebo

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 956-965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Pallanti ◽  
Silvia Bernardi ◽  
Leonardo Quercioli ◽  
Concetta DeCaria ◽  
Eric Hollander
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Acute Administration ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Pathological Gamblers ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Cortisol Responses ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Prolactin Response ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTObjectiveAcute administration of the partial serotonin (5-HT) agonist meta-chlorophenylpi-perazine (m-CPP), that is used also as a street drug, has been reported to induce a “high” and craving response in various impulsive and sub-stance addiction disorders.IntroductionTo clarify altered 5-HT metabolism in pathological gamblers and to explore the specific role of serotonergic system in non substance addictions, we assessed behavioral (“high” and “craving”) and neuroendocrine (prolactin and cortisol) responses to an oral single dose of m-CPP and placebo in pathological gamblers and matched controls. Moreover, the relationship between neuroendocrine outcome and clinical severity has been assessed.MethodTwenty-six pathological gamblers and 26 healthy control subjects enter a double-blind, placebo-controlled-crossed administration of orally dose m-CPP 0.5 mg/kg. Outcome measures included prolactin and cortisol levels, gambling severity, mood, craving and “high” scales.ResultsPathological gamblers had significantly increased prolactin response compared to controls at 180 minutes and at 210 minutes post–administration. Greater pathological gamblers severity correlated with increased neuroendocrine responsiveness to m-CCP, suggesting greater 5-HT dysregulation. Pathological gambling patients had a significantly increased “high” sensation after m-CPP administration compared with control.ConclusionThese results provide additional evidence for 5-HT disturbance in pathological gamblers and they support the hypotheses that the role of the 5-HT dysfunction related to the experience of “high” might represent the path-way that leads to dyscontrolled behavior in patho-logical gamblers. Furthermore, the “high” feeling induced by m-CPP in pathological subjects may represent a marker of vulnerability to both behav-ioral and substance addictions.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Pathological Gambling in Quebec in 2002

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Ladouceur ◽  
Christian Jacques ◽  
Serge Chevalier ◽  
Serge Sévigny ◽  
Denis Hamel
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Screening Instruments ◽  
South Oaks Gambling Screen ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pathological Gamblers

Objective: To assess gambling behaviours and the problems associated with pathological gambling among the adult population of Quebec in 2002. Method: In Phase 1 of this 2-phase study, a total sample of 8842 adults was assessed. We used the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), adapted for telephone interview, to assess one-half of the sample; the other one-half was evaluated with the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). In the study's second phase, we compared the classifications obtained from these screening instruments with classifications obtained by a psychologist using a semistructured clinical telephone interview. Results: The results indicate that the prevalence of pathological gambling in 2002 (at which time 0.8% of the adult population were classified as probable pathological gamblers) did not differ from the proportion obtained in 1996 (1.0%), despite the significant decrease in gambling participation in 2002 (81% vs 90% in 1996). The most popular gambling activities were buying lottery tickets (68%), participating in fundraising draws (40%), gambling in casinos (18%), playing cards with family or with friends (10%), playing bingo (9%), and playing video lotteries (8%). The findings obtained from the SOGS and the CPGI revealed that the 2 instruments perform similarly when identifying pathological gambling prevalence. However, the results of the semistructured clinical telephone interviews differed from the results obtained with the screening instruments: 82% of the gamblers initially identified as probable pathological gamblers by the SOGS or the CPGI were not confirmed by a clinical interview. Conclusion: The discrepancy between the results of the screening questionnaires and the clinical evaluation is significant, and this difference needs to be addressed before further cross-sectional or longitudinal studies are conducted.

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