Impulsivity in Pathological Gambling

The purpose of the this study is to compare pathological gamblers versus non-pathological gamblers using tests that measure different components of impulsivity. We aim to invite a total of 120 individuals to participate in this study.

Impulsivity has been described as the cognitive inability to delay gratification, a failure to inhibit behavioral action or acting without forethought about consequences. Impulsivity has also been seen as a personality trait characterized by risk-taking or sensation seeking behavior. Pathological gamblers demonstrate aspects of impulsivity; they act without thinking, have difficult inhibiting urges to gamble and desire immediate gratification. The goal of this project is to clarify which components of impulsivity are associated with pathological gambling. Non-treatment seeking, pathological gamblers and controls will be recruited from the community and local casinos. Each participant will be administered a battery of tests that represent different operational definitions of impulsivity.

Personality traits of impulsivity will be measured with the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale and the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised. Behavioral components of impulsivity will be tested through delay and probability discounting tasks. Finally, measures of frontotemporal functioning are also included in a neuropsychology and neurocognitive battery. Recent studies have shown that these areas of the brain function differently in pathological gamblers; thus, the following neuropsychology/neurocognitive tests have been included: Attention/Information Processing Speed (via Simple Reaction Time Task and Continuous Performance Task), Episodic Memory (via Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test), Executive/Frontal Lobe Measures (via Wechsler Memory Scale-III, Choice Reaction Time Task, Working Memory Task (N-back), Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task, and Stop-Signal Task). Between group comparisons on this battery of impulsivity tests will be made to clarify which components of impulsivity are associated with pathological gambling. Secondly, within-group analyses will be performed to correlate impulsivity to gambling severity. Lastly, an exploratory analysis of subtyping pathological gamblers by performances on tasks of impulsivity and types of gambling will be conducted.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria for Pathological Gamblers:

* 18 years or older
* Be able to speak, read and write in English
* Current diagnosis of pathological gambling (using DSM-IV criteria)
* South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) score of 5 or above during screening
* Recent gambling activity -- at least once within one week prior to enrollment.
* Voluntarily given informed consent and signed the informed consent document.
* Not currently seeking treatment for gambling

Inclusion Criteria For Control Participants:

* 18 years or older
* Be able to speak, read and write in English
* South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) score of 5 or less during screening
* Voluntarily given informed consent and signed the informed consent document
* Does not meet diagnosis of pathological gambling by DSM-IV criteria
* Not currently seeking treatment for gambling

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria for all participants:

* Current treatment for pathological gambling, excluding involvement with Gamblers Anonymous
* Ongoing medication for any psychiatric disorders, including anti-psychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics or sedative/hypnotics.
* Dependence by DSM-IV criteria on any psychoactive substance, excluding caffeine or nicotine
* Presence of clinically unstable medical disorders that could harm the subject if not treated immediately.
* Presence of any neurological or psychiatric disorders (as assessed by the SCID or MINI and BDI-II) that would require immediate treatment.
* Test positive urine toxicology for illicit drugs prior to enrollment
* Hamilton Depression Scale score of \>17