Chantal Mörsen

The neural basis of video gaming

Video game playing is a frequent recreational activity. Previous studies have reported an involvement of dopamine-related ventral striatum. However, structural brain correlates of video game playing have not been investigated. On magnetic resonance imaging scans of 154 14-year-olds, we computed voxel-based morphometry to explore differences between frequent and infrequent video game players. Moreover, we assessed the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task during functional magnetic resonance imaging and the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT). We found higher left striatal grey matter volume when comparing frequent against infrequent video game players that was negatively correlated with deliberation time in CGT. Within the same region, we found an activity difference in MID task: frequent compared with infrequent video game players showed enhanced activity during feedback of loss compared with no loss. This activity was likewise negatively correlated with deliberation time. The association of video game playing with higher left ventral striatum volume could reflect altered reward processing and represent adaptive neural plasticity.

To gamble or not to gamble: at risk for craving and relapse--learned motivated attention in pathological gambling.

In recent research similarities between pathological gambling and drug addiction have been identified, suggesting excessive gambling to constitute an addiction. So far, we have insufficient knowledge concerning the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying this kind of non-substance-related addiction. The objective of the study was to investigate emotional processing of gambling-relevant and -irrelevant stimuli in pathological gamblers and non-gambling controls using an EEG cue-reactivity paradigm. Whereas gambling-irrelevant stimuli were processed similarly in non-gambling controls (HC) and pathological gamblers (PG), PG showed significantly stronger gambling-relevant stimulus-induced psychophysiological cue-reactivity (larger gambling stimulus-induced late positive potential, LPP, higher arousal and more positively toned valence ratings as well as higher stimulus-induced craving for gambling cues compared to HC--but not the expectable increase of general craving over time and after stimulus presentation). Our findings suggest enhanced cue-reactivity in pathological gamblers indicative of learned motivated attention that may induce subjective craving and relapse.

The Relationship of Stress, Coping, Effect Expectancies and Craving

Based on theoretical models of craving and addiction, this study investigated the association between stress-related variables and negatively and positively reinforcing dimensions of craving (relief and reward craving) in 150 opiate addicts, 150 alcohol addicts and 150 non-addicted controls. Stress-distress was the most powerful predictor of both dimensions of craving, followed by a lack of positive coping strategies whereas expectancies of substance effects seemed to be less important. Positive coping strategies were related to reduced craving only when they were accompanied by low stress-distress. In non-addicted subjects, only positive coping strategies were negatively related to craving. This study confirms the important role of stress-distress for the occurrence of craving in addicts.

Development of an assessment tool to evaluate the risk potential of different gambling types

Based on different characteristics of gambling types, this study aimed to develop an assessment tool to evaluate the risk potential of available and planned gambling types in German-speaking countries. In the first module, 26 experts were interviewed over the course of a Delphi study, and an analysis of those results led to the selection of relevant characteristics and scaling values. Building on the first module, the second module consisted of standardized data collection of nonproblem, problem and pathological gamblers (characteristics: n = 363; scales: n = 356), which served as an empirical validation. Ten characteristics were identified with different weights and differentiated scaling values to evaluate the risk potential, and a psychometric validation indicated that the assessment tool was reliable (α = 0.91; r ik = 0.50; r it = 0.33–0.80). The correlation measures from data of epidemiological studies (R 2 = 0.84) and a treatment survey (p < 0.001) demonstrated that the assessment tool was valid. This assessment tool, which was verified by psychometric validation, can serve the legislation and jurisdiction, the gaming industry and consumers as a future basis for risk evaluation of gambling types.

The influence of current mood on affective startle modulation

The affect-modulated startle response is a reliable indicator of the affective processing of stimuli. It may be influenced by trait and state affective variables as well as psychopathological status. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of the current mood state on startle modulation. Forty-five healthy volunteers viewed affective stimuli while eye blink responses and subjective emotional ratings were assessed. In addition, the current state of mood was assessed, pre and post the experimental procedure. Subjects were divided into those that were in a more positive and those that were in a more negative mood based on a median split. Compared to subjects in a positive mood those in a more negative mood showed significantly reduced startle amplitudes after viewing the negative and neutral stimuli. The results of the present study show that changes in startle responses are not only related to the current state of psychopathology but also to the general affective state of the participants during the assessments.

Der Einfluss von Ohrakupunktur auf das Drogenverlangen und das emotionale Befinden bei Opiatabhängigen und nicht abhängigen Alkoholkonsumenten

ZusammenfassungEinleitung: Die Ohrakupunktur (OA) nach dem NADA-Protokoll gilt als weltweit anerkanntes Verfahren zur Reduktion von Entzugssymptomen und des Drogenverlangens sowie zur Unterstützung der Compliance bei abhängigen Patienten im Rahmen suchttherapeutischer Behandlungen.Methodik: In der vorliegenden Studie wurde der Einfluss der OA auf das Drogenverlangen und auf negative affektive Zustände bei abhängigen Opiatkonsumenten und nicht abhängigen Personen (Alkoholkonsumenten) untersucht und die Effektivität der OA mit der Effektivität der progressiven Muskelentspannung (PMR) und den Ergebnissen bei keiner Intervention verglichen.Ergebnisse: Im Vergleich zu den anderen Untersuchungsbedingungen reduzierte sich in der Opiatgruppe nur bei der OA das Drogenverlangen signifikant. In der Gruppe der nicht abhängigen Personen hingegen konnte das Alkoholverlangen nur durch die PMR signifikant reduziert werden. Stressbelastung, Ängstlichkeit und dysphorische Stimmung konnte bei den Opiatabhängigen v. a. durch die OA und bei den nicht abhängigen Personen sowohl durch die OA als auch durch die PMR signifikant reduziert werden.Schlussfolgerung: Eine spezifische Wirksamkeit der OA nach dem NADA-Protokoll gegenüber der PMR konnte lediglich für die Opiatabhängigen gezeigt werden. Nichtabhängige Konsumenten hingegen profitieren mehr von der PMR.AbstractBackground: Auricular acupuncture according to the NADA-Protocol is an internationally established treatment to reduce withdrawal symptoms and craving as well as to support the compliance of substance-dependent patients.Methods: This study examined and compared the effects of auricular acupuncture (OA) with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and no treatment (KI) on drug craving and negative affective states in opiate addicts as well as non-addicted alcohol consumers.Results: Compared to PMR and KI drug craving was significantly decreased by OA in opiate addicts, this was also true for the effect of PMR but not of OA on alcohol craving in alcohol drinkers. Significantly reduced stress perception, anxiety and dysphoric mood were found in both groups for the OA condition. Concerning these variables PMR affected only the group of alcohol drinkers significantly.Conclusion: Regarding the reduction of drug craving and negative affective states OA seems to be more efficient in addicts whereas in non-addicted subjects better effects could be expected by PMR.

Reduced loss aversion in pathological gambling and alcohol dependence is associated with differential alterations in amygdala and prefrontal functioning

Diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling and alcohol dependence (AD) include repeated addictive behavior despite severe negative consequences. However, the concept of loss aversion (LA) as a facet of value-based decision making has not yet been used to directly compare these disorders. We hypothesized reduced LA in pathological gamblers (PG) and AD patients, correlation of LA with disorder severity, and reduced loss-related modulation of brain activity. 19 PG subjects, 15 AD patients and 17 healthy controls (HC) engaged in a LA task in a functional magnetic resonance imaging setting. Imaging analyses focused on neural gain and loss sensitivity in the meso-cortico-limbic network of the brain. Both PG and AD subjects showed reduced LA. AD subjects showed altered loss-related modulation of activity in lateral prefrontal regions. PG subjects showed indication of altered amygdala-prefrontal functional connectivity. Although we observed reduced LA in both a behavioral addiction and a substance-related disorder our neural findings might challenge the notion of complete neuro-behavioral congruence of substance-use disorders and behavioral addictions.

Glücksspiel- und Computerspielsucht bei Jugendlichen

Exzessives Glücks- und Computerspielen kann als eine Form jugendlichen Problemverhaltens gesehen werden, das mit negativen Konsequenzen in verschiedenen Lebensbereichen verbunden ist. Jugendliche gelten als besonders gefährdet, ein Suchtverhalten zu entwickeln. Eine erhöhte Reaktivität auf belohnungsanzeigende und emotionale Reize sowie eine noch relativ gering ausgereifte Fähigkeit zur kognitiven und emotionalen Regulation fördern die Entwicklung exzessiven Spielverhaltens und somit auch einer Glückspiel- und Computerspielsucht.