Abstract
Executive function (EF) deficits may underlie some of the impulse control problems seen in pathological gambling. Pathological
gamblers (PGs, n = 45) and controls (n = 45) were compared on several measures of EF (including measures of response inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility
and perseveration, planning and decision-making), as well as memory and intelligence tests to examine whether PGs evidence
EF dysfunction. Compared with controls, PGs exhibited specific deficits on measures of planning and decision-making. PGs also
exhibited relative deficits on a measure of perseveration, but this deficit was no longer significant after controlling for
group differences in intelligence. These results suggest that PGs may experience deficits on specific components of EF.
gamblers (PGs, n = 45) and controls (n = 45) were compared on several measures of EF (including measures of response inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility
and perseveration, planning and decision-making), as well as memory and intelligence tests to examine whether PGs evidence
EF dysfunction. Compared with controls, PGs exhibited specific deficits on measures of planning and decision-making. PGs also
exhibited relative deficits on a measure of perseveration, but this deficit was no longer significant after controlling for
group differences in intelligence. These results suggest that PGs may experience deficits on specific components of EF.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-010-9237-6
- Authors
- David M. Ledgerwood, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2761 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Emily S. Orr, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2761 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Kristen A. Kaploun, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2761 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Aleks Milosevic, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2761 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- G. Ron Frisch, Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON Canada
- Nicholas Rupcich, Problem Gambling Services, Windsor Regional Hospital, Windsor, ON Canada
- Leslie H. Lundahl, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2761 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350