Exploring the relationship between gambling, emotions, and brain rewards

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying gambling addiction by examining two distinct brain phenotypes among gamblers: impulsive and emotional. Participants will undergo fMRI scans while performing reward and facial emotion recognition tasks to assess their brain responses. Additionally, the study will utilize Ecological Momentary Assessment to gather real-life behavioral data, allowing researchers to explore how these brain phenotypes predict gambling behavior outside the lab. The research seeks to clarify inconsistencies in previous studies regarding reward processing in gambling addiction.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

For all participants (gamblers and healthy subjects)

* Aged between 18 and 65
* Fluent French, read and spoken
* Male and Female
* Informed consent to take part in the research

For gamblers :

* Number of DSM-5 critera for gambling disorder ≥3
* Score ≥ 5 on the Problem Gambling Severity Index questionnaire (PGSI)
* Have a smartphone

For healthy subjects :

* no DSM-5 criteria for gambling addiction
* Score ≤ 2 on the Problem Gambling Severity Index questionnaire (PGSI)

Exclusion Criteria:

For all participants (gamblers and healthy subjects):

* Contra-indication to MRI
* Protected Adults
* Breast feeding or pregnant women
* Neurological disorder or severe chronic illness (diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease or liver disease, inflammatory disease….)
* Pharmacological treatment with psychotropic action (\>1 time / week)
* Regular drug use (\> 1 time/ week for at least 3 months in the last 6 months)
* Positive urine drug test on the day of the MRI sessions

For gamblers:

* Psychiatric treatment \> 1 month (pharmacological or CBT)
* Other DSM-5 diagnosis : schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism, current PTSD, eating disorders, current major depressive episode, anxiety disorder, substance use disorder except nicotine, obsessive compulsive disorder.

For healthy subjects :

\- Any DSM-5 diagnosis except nicotine addiction

Where it's running

• CH le Vinatier
  Bron, France Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Guillaume SESCOUSSE, PHD — CH Le Vinatier
• Study coordinator: Guillaume SESCOUSSE, PHD
• Email: guillaume.sescousse@ch-le-vinatier.fr
• Phone: 0437915531

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.