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A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder

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Cue reactivity in active pathological, abstinent pathological, and regular gamblers.

Ruthlyn Sodano¹, Edelgard Wulfert

¹University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, USA. rsodano@mednet.ucla.edu

Journal of Gambling Studies

|August 8, 2009

Summary

Pathological gamblers experience gambling urges from any exciting situation, not just gambling cues. This suggests excitement itself can trigger gambling behavior in those with the disorder.

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Area of Science:

Behavioral psychology
Clinical psychology
Neuroscience of addiction

Background:

Pathological gambling is a complex behavioral addiction.
Understanding triggers for gambling urges is crucial for treatment.
Previous research has focused on gambling-specific cues.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate arousal and urge to gamble in response to gambling and non-gambling exciting cues.
To compare pathological gamblers, gamblers in recovery, and recreational gamblers.
To explore the role of generalized excitement as a trigger for pathological gambling.

Main Methods:

Participants included 21 treatment-seeking pathological gamblers, 21 pathological gamblers in recovery, and 21 recreational gamblers.
Physiological (heart rate) and subjective (excitement, urge to gamble) measures were recorded.
Participants viewed video-taped gambling scenarios and an exciting roller-coaster control scenario.

Main Results:

No significant differences in cue-elicited heart rate or excitement were found between groups.
Active pathological gamblers reported significantly higher urges to gamble across all cues compared to other groups.
Pathological gamblers experienced urges from both gambling and non-gambling exciting cues, unlike other groups.

Conclusions:

Excitement itself, regardless of source, may act as a conditioned stimulus for pathological gamblers.
This finding suggests a broader trigger mechanism for gambling urges in pathological gambling.
Implications for treatment may involve managing generalized arousal and excitement.