British Medical Journal BMJ
News
Gambling: health experts investigate scale of harm
BMJ 2019; 366 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4742 (Published 17 July 2019)
Cite this as: BMJ 2019;366:l4742
Re: Gambling: health experts investigate scale of harm
Neurology of Gambling
Gambling can be a habit or can results as side effects to certain dopaminigic medications which are used in some neurological disorders like Parkinson diseases .
Gambling has a specific neurological basis. Brain areas like frontal, paralimbic, nucleus accumbens Insula and limbic parts of the brain has a role in gambling. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin can influences gambling.
There are several types of gaming which includes non-gambling players, recreational gamblers, problem gamblers, and pathological gamblers. There are many ways and mode of gambling including electronic roulette and sports gambling.
Gambling can have a devastating effect not just on patients, but also on their families. It can result in people losing their job, and leave families and children homeless. Some time Gamblers can also present with withdrawal Symptom like restlessness and irritability.
There are three types of pharmacological agents used to treat Gambling disorder which includes serotonin reuptake inhibitors, opioid antagonists, and mood stabilizers along with behavioral therapy
Competing interests: No competing interests
27 July 2019
M.A. Aleem
Emeritus Professor of Neurology * Visiting Specialist in Neurology ** Consultant Neurologist *** The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University * Dhanalakshami Srinivasan Medical College ** ABC Hospital *** Chennai 600032* Perambalure 621212** Trichy 620018***
Tamilnadu India
@drmaaleem