Abstract
RationalePathological gambling has been associated with dopamine transmission abnormalities, in particular dopamine D2-receptor deficiency, and reversal learning deficits. Moreover, pervasive theoretical accounts suggest a key role for dopamine in reversal learning. However, there is no empirical evidence for a direct link between dopamine, reversal learning and pathological gambling.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to triangulate dopamine, reversal learning, and pathological gambling.MethodsHere, we assess the hypothesis that pathological gambling is accompanied by dopamine-related problems with learning from reward and punishment by investigating effects of the dopamine D2-receptor antagonist sulpiride (400 mg) on reward- and punishment-based reversal learning in 18 pathological gamblers and 22 healthy controls, using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, counter-balanced design.ResultsIn line with previous studies, blockade of D2 receptors with sulpiride impaired reward versus punishment reversal learning in controls. By contrast, sulpiride did not have any outcome-specific effects in gamblers.ConclusionThese data demonstrate that pathological gambling is associated with a dopamine-related anomaly in reversal learning from reward and punishment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00213-015-3986-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Pathological gambling is a psychiatric disorder characterized by elevated risk seeking and compulsive gambling behaviour
Sulpiride did not have any outcome-specific effects in gamblers. These data demonstrate that pathological gambling is associated with a dopamine-related anomaly in reversal learning from reward and punishment
Both substance addiction and pathological gambling have been associated with dopamine transmission abnormalities, in particular dopamine D2-receptor deficiency (Boileau et al 2013; Clark et al 2012; Cocker et al 2012; Comings et al 1996; Dalley et al 2007; and see Joutsa et al 2012; Linnet et al 2010)
Summary
Pathological gambling is a psychiatric disorder characterized by elevated risk seeking and compulsive gambling behaviour. In the DSM-5, pathological gambling (renamed gambling disorder) is recognized as a behavioural addiction based on similarities with substance addiction in terms of personality traits (impulsivity and compulsivity), clinical symptoms (tolerance, withdrawal, and craving), and associated neurobiological mechanisms (Petry 2007; Potenza 2008, 2013). Both substance addiction and pathological gambling have been associated with dopamine transmission abnormalities, in particular dopamine D2-receptor deficiency (Boileau et al 2013; Clark et al 2012; Cocker et al 2012; Comings et al 1996; Dalley et al 2007; and see Joutsa et al 2012; Linnet et al 2010). Aberrant reward prediction error signals lead to compulsive over-selection of actions directed at targets of addiction
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