Researchers in Japan are altering the brain area responsible for making impulsive choices.
A group of scientists from Kyoto University in Japan, led by neuroscientist Tadashi Isa, claims to have found sections of the brain that may instigate risky actions rather than stimulating strategic thinking. Potentially, these findings could be beneficial in future treatments for gambling addiction.
Successful Monkey Gambling Experiment
Since the brain anatomy of Japanese macaques, a type of monkey, shares similarities with humans, these animals were chosen for the experiment, as reported by WELT.
At first glance, the design of the study, which was published in Science Magazine at the beginning of January 2024 [Study in English], did not seem relevant to traditional gambling.
Instead, the experiment involved allowing monkeys to secure their water supply by activating particular switches, but each switch could only be used once within a specific time period.
Some switches gave a small amount of water each time, while others provided larger amounts of water or no water at all with a certain probability.
The thirsty monkeys thus had to choose between satisfying their thirst immediately with a guaranteed partial satisfaction or taking the risk to obtain a larger amount of water.
Behavior Affected by Brain Stimulation
The researchers initially aimed to identify the regions of the cerebral cortex involved in decision-making by injecting certain areas.
After this was successful, the team attempted to induce the desired behavior by stimulating specific brain areas. In fact, the researchers managed to induce either safe or risky behavior in the monkeys by manipulating the brain area accordingly.
What Can Problem Gamblers Do?
According to the Gambling Atlas 2023, approximately 1.3 million individuals in Germany struggle with this issue. Additionally, there is an unreported figure and numerous people at risk of developing a gambling addiction in the near future.
Individuals suspecting they have signs of problematic gambling behavior can initially use the OASIS blocking system to prohibit themselves from gambling at legal providers nationwide. Such restrictions range from 24 hours to complete exclusion.
There are also numerous non-profit organizations that provide help for those affected or their families. One such organization is the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), which offers a free phone consultation at 0800 / 137 27 00.
Studies from abroad suggest that therapies for gambling addiction offer promising results. It remains to be seen whether insights from modern brain research could contribute to the development of even more effective therapy methods.
More Research Required
Both the researchers and other experts like Veit Stuphorn from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA) have stated that the full understanding of human risk decisions has not yet been achieved through this study.
Among other things, it needs to be determined whether other brain regions are involved in certain decision-making patterns and how they interact with each other. The limited applicability of the findings to humans in gambling situations also remains a point of criticism.
At present, it can only be speculated whether Japanese researchers have actually enhanced the therapeutic options for gambling addicts, or if the experimental limitations are too significant.
News about the study's implications: This new research on monkey behavior and brain stimulation, as reported by WELT, has raised interesting possibilities for future treatments of gambling addiction in humans.
Discussing potential applications: If the findings from this experiment can be applied to humans, it could lead to the development of more effective therapy methods for problem gamblers, as suggested by studies from abroad.
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