Problem Gambling News and Research

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Genes influence impulsivity, which may then contribute to risk for developing alcoholism

Numerous studies have shown that highly impulsive behavior - defined as the tendency to choose small, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards - is more prevalent in drug addicts and alcoholics compared to individuals without addictions.

22 Apr 2009

8.5 percent of youth gamers addicted to video games

Parents have been saying for years that their kids are "addicted" to video games, but a new study by an Iowa State University psychology professor is the first to actually report that pathological patterns of video game addiction exist in a national sample of youth, aged 8 to 18.

20 Apr 2009

Dopamine agonists trigger destructive behaviors

A new study conducted at Mayo Clinic reports that one in six patients receiving therapeutic doses of certain drugs for Parkinson's disease develops new-onset, potentially destructive behaviors, notably compulsive gambling or hypersexuality.

9 Apr 2009

President Obama's insurance for children - shouldn't we at least talk about it?"

Democrats are moving quickly to socialize American health care with the SCHIP expansion. Michael Tanner of the CATO Institute whined, "Shouldn't we at least talk about it?"

16 Mar 2009

New insights into addiction

A new comprehensive review by researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University and the University of Cambridge, England provides vital insights into the neurological basis of addiction by investigating Parkinson's disease patients, who in some instances develop various addictions when undergoing medical treatment.

25 Feb 2009

New insight into why gambling is so attractive to some

A new study demonstrates that when gambling, almost winning promotes significant recruitment of win-related circuitry within the brain and enhances the motivation to gamble.

15 Feb 2009

Effects of brain exercise depend on opponent

Playing games against a computer activates different brain areas from those activated when playing against a human opponent.

3 Feb 2009

Gambling addict wins 3 years jail sentence

A 55-year-old travel agent's gambling addiction has won her a three year jail sentence after she stole $52,558 from her Brisbane employer.

19 Jan 2009

Sarcasm - a diagnostic tool for dementia

Scientists say sarcasm, sometimes referred to as the lowest form of wit, might be a useful tool in diagnosing a certain type of dementia.

15 Dec 2008

Direct link found between college students' health and academic achievement

Research from the United States has found that lack of sleep, excessive computer screen time and stress have a negative effect on college students' grades.

22 Oct 2008

Drug used to treat alcohol dependence also works for pathological gamblers

Scientists in the U.S. have found that a drug commonly prescribed for the treatment of alcoholism and drug dependence, also works for pathological gamblers.

8 Jun 2008

New study finds widespread gambling activity among adolescents and young adults in U.S.

Gambling activity is widespread among U.S. adolescents and young adults ages 14 through 21, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA).

6 May 2008

New insights into how the brain processes social, economic reward

Researchers have mapped the brain regions that process social standing and money rewards, yielding new insights that they said will aid understanding of the basis of social behaviors.

23 Apr 2008

Gambling addicts don't learn from their mistakes

Gambling addicts don't learn from their mistakes, according to a study published today in the open access journal Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health.

28 Mar 2008

Australian neuroscientist tests Chantix

UQ pharmacy graduate Dr Selena Bartlett is starting clinical trials of a new drug that could potentially curb addictions such as smoking, drinking, gambling even depression.

20 Feb 2008

How exactly does aging affect judgment and decision-making abilities?

We often read or hear stories about older adults being conned out of their life savings, but are older individuals really more susceptible to fraud than younger adults?

15 Jan 2008

Neurons in the frontal lobe may be responsible for rational decision-making

You study the menu at a restaurant and decide to order the steak rather than the salmon. But when the waiter tells you about the lobster special, you decide lobster trumps steak. Without reconsidering the salmon, you place your order - all because of a trait called "transitivity."

10 Dec 2007