Impulsivity in Pathological Gambling

NCT00580567 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: PA-00-004K23DA019522
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of the this study is to compare pathological gamblers versus non-pathological gamblers using tests that measure different components of impulsivity. We aim to invite a total of 120 individuals to participate in this study. Impulsivity has been described as the cognitive inability to delay gratification, a failure to inhibit behavioral action or acting without forethought about consequences. Impulsivity has also been seen as a personality trait characterized by risk-taking or sensation seeking behavior. Pathological gamblers demonstrate aspects of impulsivity; they act without thinking, have difficult inhibiting urges to gamble and desire immediate gratification. The goal of this project is to clarify which components of impulsivity are associated with pathological gambling. Non-treatment seeking, pathological gamblers and controls will be recruited from the community and local casinos. Each participant will be administered a battery of tests that represent different operational definitions of impulsivity.

Conditions

Pathological Gambling

Keywords

Impulsivity; Gambling; Pathological Gamblers; Problem Gamblers; Non-Pathological Gamblers; Risk-taking; Inhibition; Gambling Severity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Barratt Impusivity Scale

  12 months

Study Arms (2)

1

Pathological Gamblers

2

Non-Pathological Gamblers

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Community Sample

You may qualify if:

• years or older
• Be able to speak, read and write in English
• Current diagnosis of pathological gambling (using DSM-IV criteria)
• South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) score of 5 or above during screening
• Recent gambling activity -- at least once within one week prior to enrollment.
• Voluntarily given informed consent and signed the informed consent document.
• Not currently seeking treatment for gambling
• years or older
• Be able to speak, read and write in English
• South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) score of 5 or less during screening
• Voluntarily given informed consent and signed the informed consent document
• Does not meet diagnosis of pathological gambling by DSM-IV criteria
• Not currently seeking treatment for gambling

You may not qualify if:

• Current treatment for pathological gambling, excluding involvement with Gamblers Anonymous
• Ongoing medication for any psychiatric disorders, including anti-psychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics or sedative/hypnotics.
• Dependence by DSM-IV criteria on any psychoactive substance, excluding caffeine or nicotine
• Presence of clinically unstable medical disorders that could harm the subject if not treated immediately.
• Presence of any neurological or psychiatric disorders (as assessed by the SCID or MINI and BDI-II) that would require immediate treatment.
• Test positive urine toxicology for illicit drugs prior to enrollment
• Hamilton Depression Scale score of \>17

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, Los Angeles: lead
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

Location

Related Links

• UCLA Gambling Studies Program

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gambling; Impulsive Behavior; Risk-Taking; Inhibition, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Timothy W. Fong, M.D.

  UCLA Gambling Studies Program

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 20, 2007
• First Posted: December 24, 2007
• Study Start: March 1, 2007
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2009
• Study Completion: August 1, 2009
• Last Updated: June 4, 2013

Record last verified: 2013-06

Locations

US (1)