Abnormal modulation of reward versus punishment learning by a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist in pathological gamblers.

Abstract

RATIONALE:

Pathological gambling has been associated with dopamine transmission abnormalities, in particular dopamine D2-receptor deficiency, and reversal learning deficits. Moreover, pervasive theoretical accounts suggest a key role for dopamine in reversal learning. However, there is no empirical evidence for a direct link between dopamine, reversal learning and pathological gambling.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the present study is to triangulate dopamine, reversal learning, and pathological gambling.

METHODS:

Here, we assess the hypothesis that pathological gambling is accompanied by dopamine-related problems with learning from reward and punishment by investigating effects of the dopamine D2-receptor antagonist sulpiride (400 mg) on reward- and punishment-based reversal learning in 18 pathological gamblers and 22 healthy controls, using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, counter-balanced design.

RESULTS:

In line with previous studies, blockade of D2 receptors with sulpiride impaired reward versus punishment reversal learning in controls. By contrast, sulpiride did not have any outcome-specific effects in gamblers.

CONCLUSION:

These data demonstrate that pathological gambling is associated with a dopamine-related anomaly in reversal learning from reward and punishment.

• Authors: Lieneke Katharina Janssen, Guillaume Sescousse, Mahur Melina Hashemi, Monique Harmina Maria Timmer, Niels Peter ter Huurne, Dirk Everdina Maria Geurts, Roshan Cools
• Journal: Psychopharmacology (Psychopharmacology (Berl)) Vol. 232 Issue 18 Pg. 3345-53 (Sep 2015) ISSN: 1432-2072 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 26092311 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dopamine Antagonists
• Receptors, Dopamine D2
• Sulpiride
• Dopamine

Topics

• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Cross-Over Studies
• Dopamine (metabolism)
• Dopamine Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Gambling (metabolism, psychology)
• Humans
• Male
• Punishment (psychology)
• Receptors, Dopamine D2 (metabolism)
• Reversal Learning (drug effects, physiology)
• Reward
• Sulpiride (pharmacology)