News
Volunteers Sought for Research Study on Brain Activation during Gambling
20 January 2010
Researchers at Swansea, Cardiff and Bangor universities are looking for volunteers to participate in their research into the brain and behavioural markers of vulnerability to problem and pathological gambling.
Do you gamble and have you experienced any of the following:
+Trouble controlling your gambling?
+Gambled more than intended?
+Tried to stop gambling but couldn’t?
+Frequent thoughts about gambling?
A team of researchers at Swansea, Cardiff and Bangor universities are carrying out research into the brain and behavioural markers of vulnerability to problem and pathological gambling on behalf of the Wales Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience. They have asked if any Forum members would be willing to take part in their study.
Many people enjoy gambling without long-term harm, but a minority go on to experience significant personal and financial difficulties. Identifying the markers of vulnerability to problem and pathological gambling is important for informing treatment approaches. Little is known about the brain regions activated during gambling and how they might differ between problem gamblers and non-gamblers. Therefore, these studies will employ brain imaging (MRI and MEG scans) to determine the brain activation patterns in problem and pathological gamblers.
Participation involves travelling to Cardiff or Bangor, depending on where you live, to have a brain scan while completing two simulated gambling tasks, and to complete some short questionnaires.
If you are male, aged 18-60, right-handed, and interested in participating in either the Cardiff or Bangor study, and live within the local area, please contact Alice at Swansea University, by telephoning 01792 295713 or by sending an email to WICNgambling@googlemail.com. Someone will then contact you to arrange participation. You will be reimbursed for your time, and travel expenses will be refunded.