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Interactions among attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and problem gambling in a probabilistic
Mehdi Abouzari1, Scott Oberg1, Aaron Gruber1
1Department of Neuroscience, The University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Behavioural Brain Research
|June 1, 2015
Summary
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may worsen problem gambling by impairing decision-making. ADHD medication appears to improve choices, suggesting dopamine stabilization benefits both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Problem gambling and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occur.
- Neurobiological underpinnings of gambling disorder and ADHD may overlap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate reinforcement-driven choice adaptation in individuals with pathological gambling and/or ADHD.
- To assess how ADHD, with and without medication, influences decision-making in a gambling task.
Main Methods:
- A simplified computerized Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) was used.
- Participants included controls, individuals with ADHD (medicated and unmedicated), and individuals with pathological gambling.
- Choice adaptation and reinforcement sensitivity were quantified.
Main Results:
- Medicated ADHD participants and controls improved their choices on the IGT.
- Individuals with problem gambling performed worse than controls and medicated ADHD participants.
- Unmedicated ADHD gamblers showed impaired decision-making, tolerating losses after bad bets.
Conclusions:
- ADHD, especially when medicated, does not inherently cause poor IGT choices but can exacerbate problem gambling.
- Medication for ADHD may improve decision-making in gambling tasks, potentially by stabilizing dopamine signaling.
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