Behavioral addiction and autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

Adult symptoms of ASD in relation to excessive internet use: The roles of ADHD symptoms and negative mood

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been reportedly associated with excessive internet use, also known as internet addiction. As ADHD is the most common comorbidity in ASD, the present study examined the possibility that ADHD symptoms, and/or trait and mood factors linked to ASD, ADHD and internet addiction, could account for the association of ASD with internet addiction symptoms. A nonclinical young adult sample of 248 internet using men and women completed self-report measures of ASD and ADHD symptoms, alexithymia, impulsivity, negative moods and internet addiction symptoms. Scores on the ASD and ADHD symptom measures were normally distributed, consistent with the notion that the corresponding disorders represent extreme, impairing ends of population distributions of their symptoms. Hierarchical regression followed by path analysis indicated that the relationship between ASD and internet addiction symptoms was fully mediated by ADHD symptoms and negative moods. Further, the relationship between ADHD and internet addiction symptoms was partially mediated by impulsivity and negative moods. Present findings point to the mediating roles of ADHD symptoms and negative moods in the association of ASD with internet addiction symptoms.

Prevalence of suspected autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in a Japanese clinical sample with gambling disorder: A cross-sectional study

Aim

Studies show gambling disorders are associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The association between gambling disorders and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has not been well studied, although ASD is often comorbid with ADHD and is associated with gaming disorder. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ASD and ADHD traits comorbid with gambling disorders and to examine the relationships between these traits and gambling problems in a clinical population.

Methods

This single-site cross-sectional study was conducted at a Japanese addiction outpatient clinic treating gambling disorders. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) test and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) were used to screen ASD and ADHD. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was used to assess the severity of the gambling problems. We calculated the prevalence of suspected ASD and ADHD with 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on a binomial distribution and performed univariate analyses to examine the relationships between the AQ and ASRS scores and the total PGSI score.

Results

We included 97 of 197 potential participants. After screening the participants using the AQ and ASRS, we found that the prevalence of ASD traits was 29.8% (95% CI: 21.0%-40.2%), while the prevalence of ADHD traits was 26.0% (95% CI: 17.9%-36.2%). Univariate regression analyses revealed that the total AQ score was inversely associated with the total PGSI score. However, the total ASRS score and some ASRS subscores were positively associated with the total PGSI score.

Conclusion

ASD and ADHD may be prevalent among patients with gambling disorders in clinical settings.

Autism and gambling: A systematic review, focusing on neurocognition

Autism spectrum disorders (hereafter autism) are prevalent and often associated with elevated rates of substance use disorders. A subset of people who gamble develop gambling disorder, which is functionally impairing. Characterization of relationships between autism and gambling, particularly as relates to cognition, may have important implications. We conducted a systematic review of the literature. Nine out of 343 publications were found eligible for inclusion. Most studies examined decision-making using cognitive tasks, showing mixed results (less, equivalent or superior performance in autistic people compared to non-autistic people). The most consistent cognitive finding was relatively slower responses in autistic people on gambling tasks, compared to non-autistic people. One study reported a link between problem gambling and autism scores, in people who gamble at least occasionally. This systematic review highlights a profound lack of research on the potential neurocognitive overlap between autism and gambling. Future work should address the link between autism and behavioral addictions in adequately powered samples, using validated tools.