Problem gambling and the brain

Written By Patrick Crouse

Can images of a roulette wheel or a casino stimulate gambling cravings ?

Studies have found that for problem gamblers., simply showing pictures of gambling scenes stimulate particular regions of the brain (the nucleus accumbens and the insula), which become highly active.

At the same time the connection between these regions and the frontal lobe (which regulates decision-making) is weakened, a pattern familiar from studies of people with substance use disorder.

Researched are studying which treatments may be effective in reducing activity in brain regions activated and involved in gambling addiction.

(Science Daily, 1/3/2017; NYS Northeast Problem Gambling Resource Center)

Patrick Crouse
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