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Warrier V, Chamberlain SR, Thomas SA, Bowden-Jones H. Genetics of gambling disorder and related phenotypes: The potential uses of polygenic and multifactorial risk models to enable early detection and improve clinical outcomes. J Behav Addict 2024; 13:16-20. [PMID: 38224367 PMCID: PMC10988411 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Gambling Disorder (GD) is an impactful behavioural addiction for which there appear to be underpinning genetic contributors. Twin studies show significant GD heritability results and intergenerational transmission show high rates of transmission. Recent developments in polygenic and multifactorial risk prediction modelling provide promising opportunities to enable early identification and intervention for at risk individuals. People with GD often have significant delays in diagnosis and subsequent help-seeking that can compromise their recovery. In this paper we advocate for more research into the utility of polygenic and multifactorial risk modelling in GD research and treatment programs and rigorous evaluation of its costs and benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Warrier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Samuel R Chamberlain
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Shane A. Thomas
- Vice Chancellor's Office and Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Australia
| | - Henrietta Bowden-Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
- National Problem Gambling Clinic & National Centre for Gaming Disorders, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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2
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite abundant research on the potential causal influence of childhood maltreatment (CM) on psychological maladaptation in adulthood, almost none has implemented the discordant twin design as a means of examining the role of such experiences in later disordered gambling (DG) while accounting for genetic and family environmental confounds. The present study implemented such an approach to disentangle the potential causal and familial factors that may account for the association between CM and DG. METHODS Participants were 3750 twins from the Australian Twin Registry [Mage = 37.60 (s.d. = 2.31); 58% female]. CM and DG were assessed separately via two semi-structured telephone interviews. Random-intercept generalized linear mixed models were fit to the data; zygosity, sex, educational attainment, childhood psychiatric disorder, adult antisocial behavior, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) were included as covariates. RESULTS Neither quasi-causal nor familial effects of CM predicted DG after adjusting for covariates. Educational attainment appeared to reduce the risk of DG while AUD appeared to increase risk; evidence also emerged for familial effects of antisocial behavior on DG. Post-hoc analyses revealed a familial effect of CM on antisocial behavior, indicating that the association between CM and DG identified in unadjusted models and in prior studies may be accounted for by genetic and shared family environmental effects of antisociality. CONCLUSIONS These findings add to the meager literature showing that CM does not exert a causal effect on DG, and present novel evidence that familial effects of antisocial behavior may account for the association between CM and DG identified in extant non-twin research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve F. Dash
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | | | - Wendy S. Slutske
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Davis CN, Slutske WS, Martin NG, Agrawal A, Lynskey MT. Genetic and environmental influences on gambling disorder liability: a replication and combined analysis of two twin studies. Psychol Med 2019; 49:1705-1712. [PMID: 30160223 PMCID: PMC6395556 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718002325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gambling disorder (GD), recognized in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version 5 (DSM-5) as a behavioral addiction, is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. However, there has been little research on the genetic and environmental influences on the development of this disorder. This study reports results from the largest twin study of GD conducted to date. METHODS Replication and combined analyses were based on samples of 3292 (mean age 31.8, born 1972-79) and 4764 (mean age 37.7, born 1964-71) male, female, and unlike-sex twin pairs from the Australian Twin Registry. Univariate biometric twin models estimated the proportion of variation in the latent GD liability that could be attributed to genetic, shared environmental, and unique environmental factors, and whether these differed quantitatively or qualitatively for men and women. RESULTS In the replication study, when using a lower GD threshold, there was evidence for significant genetic (60%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 45-76%) and unique environmental (40%; 95% CI 24-56%), but not shared environmental contributions (0%; 95% CI 0-0%) to GD liability; this did not significantly differ from the original study. In the combined analysis, higher GD thresholds (such as one consistent with DSM-5 GD) and a multiple threshold definitions of GD yielded similar results. There was no evidence for quantitative or qualitative sex differences in the liability for GD. CONCLUSIONS Twin studies of GD are few in number but they tell a remarkably similar story: substantial genetic and unique environmental influences, with no evidence for shared environmental contributions or sex differences in GD liability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Arpana Agrawal
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael T. Lynskey
- King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK
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Abstract
Should excessive and problematic engagement in nonsubstance use behaviors be mental disorders? The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) repositioned gambling disorder in the substance use disorders section and introduced Internet gaming disorder in the research appendix; the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) is also considering it. This article outlines pros and cons of considering behavioral addictions as mental disorders and also reviews the DSM-5 decision-making processes. It focuses on three conditions: gambling disorder, Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and Internet addiction (IA). We detail assessment methods and prevalence rates for these conditions and outline psychiatric comorbidities, demographic and biological risk factors, and promising treatment approaches. We also briefly discuss other putative behavioral addictions: eating/food, sex, exercise, shopping, and tanning "addictions." Overall, data are inconclusive, and consistent terminology and methodology are needed to define and evaluate these conditions more fully prior to considering them mental disorders.
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MESH Headings
- Behavior, Addictive/epidemiology
- Behavior, Addictive/etiology
- Behavior, Addictive/genetics
- Behavior, Addictive/therapy
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/epidemiology
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/etiology
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/genetics
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/therapy
- Gambling/epidemiology
- Gambling/etiology
- Gambling/genetics
- Gambling/therapy
- Humans
- Internet
- Video Games
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy M Petry
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut 16032-3944, USA; , ,
| | - Kristyn Zajac
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut 16032-3944, USA; , ,
| | - Meredith K Ginley
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut 16032-3944, USA; , ,
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King SM, Keyes M, Winters KC, McGue M, Iacono WG. Genetic and environmental origins of gambling behaviors from ages 18 to 25: A longitudinal twin family study. Psychol Addict Behav 2018; 31:367-374. [PMID: 28481615 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Gambling behaviors tend to increase in prevalence from late adolescence to young adulthood, and the underlying genetic and environmental influences during this period remain largely understudied. We examined the genetic and environmental influences on gambling behaviors contributing to stability and change from ages 18 to 25 in a longitudinal, behavioral genetic mixed-sex twin study design. Participants were enrolled in the Minnesota Twin Family Study. A range of gambling behaviors (maximum frequency, average frequency, money lost, and gambling problems) were assessed at ages 18 and 25. The results of our study support the following conclusions: (a) the genetic and environmental factors impacting a range of gambling behaviors are largely similar in men and women, (b) genetic factors increase in influence from 18 to 25 (21% at age 18 to 57% at age 25), (c) shared environmental factors are influential at age 18, but tend to decrease from ages 18 to 25 (55% at age 18 to 10% at age 25), and (d) nonshared environmental influences are similarly significant and are small to moderate in magnitude at both ages. The findings add to a small yet important research area regarding determinants of youth gambling behaviors and have the potential to inform prevention and intervention efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margaret Keyes
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
| | | | - Matt McGue
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
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Hillemacher T, Frieling H, Buchholz V, Hussein R, Bleich S, Meyer C, John U, Bischof A, Rumpf HJ. Dopamine-receptor 2 gene-methylation and gambling behavior in relation to impulsivity. Psychiatry Res 2016; 239:154-5. [PMID: 27137978 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hillemacher
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Germany.
| | - Helge Frieling
- Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Vanessa Buchholz
- Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Rim Hussein
- Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Germany
| | - Christian Meyer
- Institute of Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany
| | - Ulrich John
- Institute of Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany
| | - Anja Bischof
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Rumpf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany
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Abstract
Disordered gambling and alcohol dependence are influenced by unique and shared genetic factors. Although the evidence is mixed, some research has linked catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 (or COMT Val158Met) to the development of gambling or drinking problems; however, no molecular genetic study has jointly examined gambling and drinking problems. Furthermore, the majority of past studies examined gambling or drinking problems using a case-control design. The purpose of the current study was to examine associations of COMT rs4680 with dimensionally and categorically measured gambling and drinking problems in a nonclinical sample (139 Caucasian adults). The current study found that COMT rs4680 was related to both dimensionally and categorically measured gambling and drinking problems. It appears that the COMT Met/Met genotype may be a genetic risk factor that contributes to the development of both gambling and drinking problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey R Guillot
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2250 Alcazar St CSC 240, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA,
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8
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Juli G, Juli L. Genetic of addiction: common and uncommon factors. Psychiatr Danub 2015; 27 Suppl 1:S383-S390. [PMID: 26417801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies strongly suggest that genetic factors operate at all steps of addictions, including vulnerability to initiation, continued use, and propensity to become dependent. Several studies have been popular to investigate the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors, including the availability of and exposure to a substance, and shared and unique environments. The genetic influence on addiction has proved to be substantial, and heritabilities for most addictive disorders are moderate to high. In this work we evaluate the current status of data that analyzed genetic contribution in addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Juli
- Mental Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy.
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Malloy-Diniz LF, Lage GM, Campos SB, de Paula JJ, de Souza Costa D, Romano-Silva MA, de Miranda DM, Correa H. Association between the Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158met polymorphism and different dimensions of impulsivity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73509. [PMID: 24039968 PMCID: PMC3769314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct which has been associated with dopaminergic neurotransmission. Nonetheless, until this moment, few studies addressed the relationship between different types of impulsivity and the single nucleotide polymorphism caused by a substitution of valine (val) with methionine (met) in the 158 codon of the Catechol-o-Methyltransferase gene (COMT-val158met). The present study aimed to investigate the association between val158met COMT polymorphism and impulsive behavior measured by two neuropsychological tests. Methodology/Principal Findings We administered two neuropsychological tests, a Continuous Performance Task and the Iowa Gambling Task were applied to 195 healthy participants to characterize their levels of motor, attentional and non-planning impulsivity. Then, subjects were grouped by genotype, and their scores on impulsivity measures were compared. There were no significant differences between group scores on attentional and motor impulsivity. Those participants who were homozygous for the met allele performed worse in the Iowa Gambling Task than val/val and val/met subjects. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that met allele of val158met COMT polymorphism is associated with poor performance in decision-making/cognitive impulsivity task. The results reinforce the hypothesis that val and met alleles of the val158met polymorphism show functional dissociation and are related to different prefrontal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Guilherme Menezes Lage
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Simone Becho Campos
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jonas Jardim de Paula
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danielle de Souza Costa
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio Romano-Silva
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Marques de Miranda
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Humberto Correa
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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10
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Abstract
Disordered gambling is a moderately heritable trait, but the underlying genetic basis is largely unknown. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for disordered gambling using a quantitative factor score in 1312 twins from 894 Australian families. Association was conducted for 2 381 914 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using the family-based association test in Merlin followed by gene and pathway enrichment analyses. Although no SNP reached genome-wide significance, six achieved P-values < 1 × 10(-5) with variants in three genes (MT1X, ATXN1 and VLDLR) implicated in disordered gambling. Secondary case-control analyses found two SNPs on chromosome 9 (rs1106076 and rs12305135 near VLDLR) and rs10812227 near FZD10 on chromosome 12 to be significantly associated with lifetime Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition pathological gambling and South Oaks Gambling Screen classified probable pathological gambling status. Furthermore, several addiction-related pathways were enriched for SNPs associated with disordered gambling. Finally, gene-based analysis of 24 candidate genes for dopamine agonist-induced gambling in individuals with Parkinson's disease suggested an enrichment of SNPs associated with disordered gambling. We report the first GWAS of disordered gambling. While further replication is required, the identification of susceptibility loci and biological pathways will be important in characterizing the biological mechanisms that underpin disordered gambling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope A Lind
- Quantitative Genetics, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Slutske WS, Ellingson JM, Richmond-Rakerd LS, Zhu G, Martin NG. Shared genetic vulnerability for disordered gambling and alcohol use disorder in men and women: evidence from a national community-based Australian Twin Study. Twin Res Hum Genet 2013; 16:525-34. [PMID: 23527679 PMCID: PMC3974625 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2013.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Disordered gambling (DG) will soon be included along with the substance use disorders in a revised diagnostic category of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 called 'Substance Use and Addictive Disorders'. This was premised in part on the common etiologies of DG and the substance use disorders. Using data from the national community-based Australian Twin Registry, we used biometric model fitting to examine the extent to which the genetic liabilities for DG and alcohol use disorder (AUD) were shared, and whether this differed for men and women. The effect of using categorical versus dimensional DG and AUD phenotypes was explored, as was the effect of using diagnoses based on the DSM-IV and the proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The genetic correlations between DG and AUD ranged from 0.29 to 0.44. There was a significantly larger genetic correlation between DG and AUD among men than women when using dimensional phenotypes. Overall, about one-half to two-thirds of the association between DG and AUD was due to a shared genetic vulnerability. This study represents one of the few empirical demonstrations of an overlap in the genetic risk for DG and another substance-related addictive disorder. More research is needed on the genetic overlap between DG and other substance use disorders, as well as the genetic overlap between DG and other (non-substance-related) psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy S Slutske
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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12
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Wilson D, da Silva Lobo DS, Tavares H, Gentil V, Vallada H. Family-based association analysis of serotonin genes in pathological gambling disorder: evidence of vulnerability risk in the 5HT-2A receptor gene. J Mol Neurosci 2012; 49:550-3. [PMID: 22740152 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-012-9846-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pathological gambling (PG) has become a growing public health problem in many countries around the world. PG is an impulse control disorder and its behavior and psychopathology present similarities with substance abuse disorders. Evidence from twin studies supports a significant genetic predisposition to PG, but the precise genetic loci still remain unclear. The present study investigates the allele and genotype distribution of polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter, serotonin receptor 1B and 2A genes in 140 sib-pairs discordant for the diagnosis of PG. A significant association of the C/C genotype of the serotonin receptor 2A T102C (rs 6313) polymorphism and the PG phenotype was observed [OR = 1.7 (1.1-3.4)]. This preliminary result is consistent with the hypothesis that the serotonin system is associated with addiction behavior and similar results have been reported for nicotine and alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wilson
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry (LIM 23), University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Rua Dr Ovídio Pires de Campos 785, 05403-010, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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13
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Relatively little is known about the environmental and genetic contributions to gambling frequency and disordered gambling (DG), the full continuum of gambling-related problems that includes pathological gambling (PG). METHOD A web-based sample (n=43,799 including both members of 609 twin and 303 sibling pairs) completed assessments of number of lifetime gambling episodes, DSM-IV criteria for PG, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine intake, and nicotine dependence (ND) and DSM-III-R criteria for lifetime major depression (MD). Twin modeling was performed using Mx. RESULTS In the entire cohort, symptoms of DG indexed a single dimension of liability. Symptoms of DG were weakly related to caffeine intake and moderately related to MD, consumption of cigarettes and alcohol, and ND. In twin and sibling pairs, familial resemblance for number of times gambled resulted from both familial-environmental (c²=42%) and genetic factors (a²=32%). For symptoms of DG, resemblance resulted solely from genetic factors (a²=83%). Bivariate analyses indicated a low genetic correlation between symptoms of DG and MD (r(a)=+0.14) whereas genetic correlations with DG symptoms were substantially higher with use of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, and ND (ranging from +0.29 to +0.80). The results were invariant across genders. CONCLUSIONS Whereas gambling participation is determined by shared environmental and genetic factors, DG constitutes a single latent dimension that is largely genetically determined and more closely related to externalizing than internalizing behaviors. Because these findings are invariant across genders, they suggest that the etiological factors of DG are likely to be similar in men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Blanco
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University, NY, USA
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14
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathological gambling (CPG) has been considered as a behavioral addiction having similarities with substance use disorders (SUDs). OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Current conceptualizations of addiction, as well as experimental studies of PG and SUDs, are reviewed in order to provide a perspective on tbe areas of convergence between addictive behaviors in PG and SUDs. RESULTS Shared features exist in diagnostic, clinical, physiological, and behavioral domains. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIELLTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Similarities between PG and SUDs have important implicatiol1s for categorizing, assessing, preventing and treating both PO and SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin D. Wareham
- Division of Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Division of Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
- Child Study Center, Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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