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Targeting the Glutamatergic System to Treat Pathological Gambling : Current Evidence and Future Perspectives
Joint Authors
Ruggeri, Filippo
Pettorruso, Mauro
Di Nicola, Marco
Janiri, Luigi
De Risio, Luisa
Martinotti, Giovanni
di Giannantonio, Massimo
Conte, Gianluigi
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-11, 11 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-06-12
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
11
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Pathological gambling or gambling disorder has been defined by the DSM-5 as a behavioral addiction.
To date, its pathophysiology is not completely understood and there is no FDA-approved treatment for gambling disorders.
Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system and it has been recently involved in the pathophysiology of addictive behaviors.
In this paper, we review the current literature on a class of drugs that act as modulating glutamate system in PG.
A total of 19 studies have been included, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Clinical trial and case series using glutamatergic drugs (N-acetylcysteine, memantine, amantadine, topiramate, acamprosate, baclofen, gabapentin, pregabalin, and modafinil) will be presented to elucidate the effectiveness on gambling behaviors and on the related clinical dimensions (craving, withdrawal, and cognitive symptoms) in PG patients.
The results have been discussed to gain more insight in the pathophysiology and treatment of PG.
In conclusion, manipulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission appears to be promising in developing improved therapeutic agents for the treatment of gambling disorders.
Further studies are required.
Finally, we propose future directions and challenges in this research area.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Pettorruso, Mauro& De Risio, Luisa& Martinotti, Giovanni& Di Nicola, Marco& Ruggeri, Filippo& Conte, Gianluigi…[et al.]. 2014. Targeting the Glutamatergic System to Treat Pathological Gambling : Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-447193
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Pettorruso, Mauro…[et al.]. Targeting the Glutamatergic System to Treat Pathological Gambling : Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. BioMed Research International No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-447193
American Medical Association (AMA)
Pettorruso, Mauro& De Risio, Luisa& Martinotti, Giovanni& Di Nicola, Marco& Ruggeri, Filippo& Conte, Gianluigi…[et al.]. Targeting the Glutamatergic System to Treat Pathological Gambling : Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. BioMed Research International. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-447193
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-447193