Abnormal brain activity may explain lower loss aversion in individuals addicted to gambling and alcohol

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Author(s): Genauck, Alexander ; Quester, Saskia ; Wüstenberg, Torsten ; Mörsen, Chantal P. ; Heinz, Andreas ; Romanczuk-Seiferth, Nina

Journal: Scientific Reports

Year Published: 2017

Date Added: May 15, 2018

This study investigated loss aversion in individuals addicted to gambling and alcohol. The participants were 19 pathological gamblers, 15 individuals addicted to alcohol, and 17 healthy individuals. They completed a loss aversion task while their brain activity was being measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Compared to healthy individuals, both pathological gamblers and those addicted to alcohol showed lower loss aversion. Specifically, these two groups were less sensitive to losses. Compared to healthy individuals, those addicted to alcohol had altered brain activity in the lateral prefrontal regions when dealing with losses. Pathological gamblers had altered brain connectivity between the amygdala and the posterior orbito-frontal cortex when dealing with gains. This altered connectivity may have caused lower loss aversion as losses become less salient when gamblers gain more money.

Citation: Genauck, A., Quester, S., Wüstenberg, T., Mörsen, C., Heinz, A., & Romanczuk-Seiferth, N. (2017). Reduced loss aversion in pathological gambling and alcohol dependence is associated with differential alterations in amygdala and prefrontal functioning. Scientific Reports, 7, 16306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16433-y

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16433-y

Keywords: alcoholism ; brain activity ; losses ; neurobiology ; pathological gambling

Topics: Biological Factors ; Comorbidities ; Gambling and the Brain ; Substance Use

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological Factors ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making ; Biological - Neurobiology

Response Rate: N/A

Study Design: Observational: Case Control

Geographic Coverage: Germany

Study Population: Males seeking treatment for alcohol dependence with an average age of 32.9 years, male pathological gamblers with an average age of 45.4 years, and healthy males with an average age of 38.8 years.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers recruited individuals with alcohol dependence from an in-patient detoxification ward. They recruited pathological gamblers by posting notices on the internet and in casinos.