Gambling Pinpointed in the Brain

Filed in archive Gambling General on August 3, 2006

Yet more studies have been published trying to pinpoint exactly what happens in your brain when you gamble.

Using imagery that lights up areas of the brain, researchers have found specific areas that show up when people gamble - or decide whether to take the risk or reward. Dopamine - one of the brain's neurotransmitters controlled the brain's regions that were activated

In the study, published in the journal Neuron, researchers at the California Institute of Technology used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map brain activity in 19 men and women while they performed a risk versus reward task.

In the experiment, the participants were asked to choose two cards from a deck numbered one to 10. But before their choice was made, researchers asked them to bet $1 on whether the first or second card would be higher.

Researchers concentrated on analyzing brain activity involved in the anticipatory period between the showing of the first and second card. At that moment, the participants were able to judge from the number on the first card whether they were likely to win or lose their bet.

The results showed that researchers could distinguish between brain regions that responded specifically to either anticipated risk or reward. Activity in these regions also increased with the level of expected reward or perceived risk.

In addition, the study showed that while brain activation related to expected reward was immediate, the activation of the areas related to risk perception was delayed.

Researchers hope to use these results to develop more effective treatment.

Article: Gambling Hot Spot Found In Brain