Brain activation in patients suffering from gambling disorder: an fMRI study using the cue reactivity approach for slot-machine gambling

Introduction The relevance of behavioral addictions (like gambling or internet gaming disorder) is growing constantly - not only in clinical practice, but also as a topic addiction research. Furthermore, were found to share similar neurobiological mechanisms with substance-use disorders like alcohol drug addiction. Cue reactivity well-established concept study an important addiction: craving, which denotes the strong desire consume addictive substance. For instance, images alcoholic beverages can induce drink patients addiction, reflected brain activation parts reward system and regions specifically involved craving. Objectives In order extend existing findings field slot machine gambling, we focused on suffering from disorder (GD) who mainly played slot-machines. We investigated neural response addiction-related cues (in comparison neutral cues) using cue paradigm. Methods To that end, participants diagnosis GD (N = 10) group healthy controls 20) viewed pictures gambling-related (slot machines) well (ticket vending machines), while was recorded functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Direct comparisons analyzed for two different image types (gambling-related vs. neutral) separately. Results stronger insular cortex during presentation slot-machine images, cues. condition dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC) supplementary motor area (SMA) documented population controls. Conclusions line previous findings, visual led activations insula, plays crucial role disorders, especially Our results further add notion areas might play addictions. Specifically, our research context Disclosure Interest None Declared