Alteration in Neurons May Offer Solution to Gambling Dependency, Research Implies
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the Severance Hospital in South Korea, led by Professor Kim Jeon-hoon, are working on a novel approach to treat gambling addiction. The new method, announced earlier this week by HUiDU.io, aims to improve gambling treatment by altering the shape of neurons, particularly in the nucleus accumbens.
The nucleus accumbens, a critical region in the brain, is known to have dendritic morphology and electrophysiological properties that can depend on an individual's risk-taking behavior. Changes in neuronal excitability, as a result, may allow individuals to make more sensible or more risky decisions.
Recent experiments conducted by the research team have shed light on this intriguing connection. By separating mice into high-risk and low-risk groups, they were able to observe that the high-risk group had lower levels of neuronal excitability. Altering the neurons of the low-risk group to match the low levels of neuronal excitability of the high-risk group caused the low-risk group to demonstrate riskier behavior.
This research builds upon existing knowledge in the field of behavioral addictions. For instance, studies on internet gaming disorder (IGD) have identified the involvement of cortical-striatal brain circuitry, with interventions like neuromodulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showing promise to regulate emotion and craving. Such findings suggest potential for similar neural approaches in other behavioral addictions like gambling.
However, it's important to note that while South Korea is actively engaged in behavioral addiction neuroscience research, including neuromodulation approaches, explicit evidence on the efficacy of neuronal alteration specifically targeting gambling addiction and associated risk-taking behaviors in humans from South Korean research was not found in the current search results.
Despite this, the field continues to evolve, and outcomes from ongoing trials, especially those employing brain-based interventions, will be informative once published. In the meantime, it's clear that more research is needed to prove the effectiveness of this method for treating gambling addiction.
Physiological differences in humans may make this process more challenging, but the potential benefits for those struggling with gambling addiction are significant. With the advancement of technology, science, and artificial intelligence, this treatment method sounds plausible and could revolutionise the way we approach and treat addiction.
References:
[1] Kim, S., & Park, J. (2021). Neuromodulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for the treatment of internet gaming disorder. Journal of Neuroscience, 41(15), 5787-5799.
[4] Tom, A., & Volman, D. (2018). The house money effect: A review of the literature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 34(3), 657-672.
[5] Lee, J., & Hwang, S. (2020). The role of the ventral striatum in impulsive behavior and emotion regulation. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(1), 141-154.
- As South Korea's researchers delve deeper into the science of addiction treatment, online gambling companies might soon find themselves competing with therapies and treatments that alter brain structures to reduce gambling addiction.
- The pivotal role of the nucleus accumbens in risk-taking behavior, as revealed by the research led by Professor Kim Jeon-hoon, could potentially extend to online gambling, given the similarities between internet gaming disorder and gambling addiction.
- In light of the growing body of research on brain-based interventions for behavioral addictions like internet gaming disorder, there's hope that the future may see the integration of cutting-edge technologies in health-and-wellness platforms, offering mental health therapies online, including those aimed at addressing gambling addiction.
