<p>
	Compulsive gamblers seek games of chance because of the same brain circuits that drive drug addiction, research has shown.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Scientists identified two brain areas that were highly active when gamblers felt the urge to make a bet or spin the wheel.</p>
<p>
	Both regions, known as the insula and nucleus accumbens, are involved in decision-making, reward sensations and impulse control, and have previously been linked to alcohol and drug cravings.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The findings, reported in the journal Translational Psychiatry, could lead to new treatments for gambling addiction, say the researchers.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Co-author Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones, director of the National Problem Gambling Clinic at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, said: &quot;Gambling addiction can have a devastating effect not just on patients, but also their families. It can result in people losing their job, and leave families and children homeless.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&quot;We know the condition may have a genetic component - and that the children of gambling addicts are at higher risk of gambling addiction themselves - but we still don&#39;t know the exact parts of the brain involved. This research identifies key brain areas, and opens avenues for targeted treatments that prevent cravings and relapse.&quot;</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The scientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of 19 people with gambling addiction and the same number of healthy volunteers.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Brain activity was monitored while each participant was asked to view a selection of images that included a roulette wheel and betting shop.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	In problem gamblers, the insula and nucleus accumbens brain regions were found to be highly active when seeing a gambling image was accompanied by craving.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	A link was also seen with the brain&#39;s frontal lobe, which may help to control impulses. A weaker connection between this region and the nucleus accumbens was associated with a more intense urge to gamble.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Professor Anne Lingford-Hughes, another member of the team from Imperial College London, said: &quot;Weak connections between these regions have also been identified in drug addiction. The frontal lobe can help control impulsivity, therefore a weak link may contribute to people being unable to stop gambling, and ignoring the negative consequences of their actions.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&quot;The connections may also be affected by mood - and be further weakened by stress, which may be why gambling addicts relapse during difficult periods in their life.&quot;</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 3rd January 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/gamblers-brain-activity-resembles-patterns-in-drug-addicts-research-shows-35338983.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/gamblers-brain-activity-resembles-patterns-in-drug-addicts-research-shows-35338983.html</a></p>
