Neuroanatomical correlates of trait gambling-related cognitive distortions

Abundant evidence suggests that gambling-related cognitive distortions play a crucial role in disruptive gambling behavior. However, to date, there have been few efforts to address the neuroanatomical basis of inter-individual differences in trait gambling-related cognitive distortions. We applied voxel-based morphometry to explore the neuroanatomical correlates of trait gambling-related cognitive distortions by correlating regional gray matter volume with behavioral scores tested by the gambling attitudes and beliefs survey. The results show that individuals with a higher degree of gambling-related cognitive distortion present greater gray matter volume in the frontal orbital cortex, insula cortex, temporal fusiform cortex and precentral gyrus/superior frontal gyrus in the right hemisphere. In contrast, these individuals present reduced gray matter volume in the left putamen, left lateral occipital cortex, right lateral occipital cortex, and right cuneal cortex. These results suggest that trait gambling-related cognitive distortions are influenced by brain regions involved in subjective reward value, interoception, and risk prediction, and explain how gambling-related cognitive distortions lead to persistent involvement in gambling.