Exploring the relationship between gambling, emotions, and brain rewards
Testing the Interplay of Gambling, Emotion and Reward
This study is trying to see how different brain responses to emotions and rewards affect gambling behavior in people with gambling addiction.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hôpital le Vinatier Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bron) |
| Trial ID | NCT06122298 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 18 to 65 who meet the DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder and have a smartphone.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological disorders, severe chronic illnesses, or those currently on psychotropic medications may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for gambling addiction.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on reward processing in gambling addiction, this approach of combining neuroimaging with real-life behavioral assessments is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Bron
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.