C Bergh1, T Eklund, P Södersten, C Nordin. 1. Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Family Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The possibility that monoaminergic neurotransmission is altered in pathological gambling was examined. METHODS: Monoamines and their metabolites were measured in CSF obtained at level L4-5 from ten pathological gamblers and seven controls. RESULTS: A decrease in dopamine and an increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanilic acid was found. Noradrenaline and its metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol was also increased but 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were unchanged. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the function of the dopaminergic system, possibly mediating positive and negative reward, and the noradrenergic system, possibly mediating selective attention, is changed in pathological gambling.
BACKGROUND: The possibility that monoaminergic neurotransmission is altered in pathological gambling was examined. METHODS:Monoamines and their metabolites were measured in CSF obtained at level L4-5 from ten pathological gamblers and seven controls. RESULTS: A decrease in dopamine and an increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanilic acid was found. Noradrenaline and its metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol was also increased but 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were unchanged. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the function of the dopaminergic system, possibly mediating positive and negative reward, and the noradrenergic system, possibly mediating selective attention, is changed in pathological gambling.
Authors: Michael A Shapiro; Yu Ling Chang; Sarah K Munson; Charles E Jacobson; Ramon L Rodriguez; Frank M Skidmore; Michael S Okun; Hubert H Fernandez Journal: Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat Date: 2007-02 Impact factor: 2.570