Principle Investigator Dr. Martin Zack
Co Investigators Dr. Daniela Lobo
Completion Date 2012
Funders CIHR
Contact martin_zack@camh.net
Pathological gambling is a serious disorder that afflicts 2-3% of Canadians. There are currently no medications approved to treat it. Better understanding of the neurochemistry of pathological gambling could inform medication development. Evidence suggests that the neurochemical processes underlying the disorder may be similar to those underlying addiction to stimulants such as amphetamine.
Dopamine, a brain chemical that plays a key role in addictive behaviour, becomes elevated in response to both gambling and taking stimulants. Dopamine response to addictive stimuli may contribute to pathological gambling behaviour, and differences in genes that influence dopamine may be especially important in this regard. The roles of two key dopamine receptors, D1 and D2, in pathological gambling warrant investigation, along with the possible influence of genetic factors on the role these receptors play. Based on previous research, it is predicted that a moderate dose of an agent that primarily blocks D2 receptors will increase the pleasurable effects and urge to gamble induced by gambling and amphetamine in pathological gambling subjects. If this increase results from a tendency for gambling and amphetamine to more strongly activate D1 receptors while D2 is blocked, a moderate dose of an agent that blocks both D1 and D2 receptors should counteract the increase in pleasure and urge seen with the primary D2 blocker in pathological gambling subjects.
By comparing effects of a D2 blocker versus a combined D1-D2 blocker in pathological gambling subjects and healthy 'control' subjects, the proposed research project will support important conclusions about the roles of D1 and D2, and genes for these receptors, in pathological gambling. This may facilitate medication development for pathological gambling, and help to target specific medications to particular patients using genetic information.