Impulsivity in Pathological Gambling
Completed
Conditions studied: Pathological Gambling
In brief
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.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00580567
- Run by
- University of California, Los Angeles
- People needed
- 120
- Starts
- 2007-03-01
- Expected to finish
- 2009-08-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2013-06-04
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Inclusion Criteria for Pathological Gamblers:
- 18 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
- Inclusion Criteria For Control Participants:
- 18 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…
- Exclusion Criteria for all participants:
- 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
Where it is running
- UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute — Los Angeles, California, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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