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. 2013 Sep 26:3:21592.
doi: 10.3402/snp.v3i0.21592. eCollection 2013.

Pathological gambling and the loss of willpower: a neurocognitive perspective

Damien Brevers  1 , Xavier Noël  2
Affiliations

Pathological gambling and the loss of willpower: a neurocognitive perspective

Damien Brevers et al. Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol. .

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to gain more insight on the neurocognitive processes involved in the maintenance of pathological gambling. Firstly, we describe structural factors of gambling games that could promote the repetition of gambling experiences to such an extent that some individuals may become unable to control their gambling habits. Secondly, we review findings of neurocognitive studies on pathological gambling. As a whole, poor ability to resist gambling is a product of an imbalance between any one or a combination of three key neural systems: (1) an hyperactive 'impulsive' system, which is fast, automatic, and unconscious and promotes automatic and habitual actions; (2) a hypoactive 'reflective' system, which is slow and deliberative, forecasting the future consequences of a behavior, inhibitory control, and self-awareness; and (3) the interoceptive system, translating bottom-up somatic signals into a subjective state of craving, which in turn potentiates the activity of the impulsive system, and/or weakens or hijacks the goal-driven cognitive resources needed for the normal operation of the reflective system. Based on this theoretical background, we focus on certain clinical interventions that could reduce the risks of both gambling addiction and relapse.

Keywords: craving; decision making; impulsive system; pathological gambling; reflective system; willpower.

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