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01-03-2012 | Original Paper

Executive Function in Pathological Gamblers and Healthy Controls

Authors: David M. Ledgerwood, Emily S. Orr, Kristen A. Kaploun, Aleks Milosevic, G. Ron Frisch, Nicholas Rupcich, Leslie H. Lundahl

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 1/2012

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.

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Title: Executive Function in Pathological Gamblers and Healthy Controls
Authors: David M. Ledgerwood
Emily S. Orr
Kristen A. Kaploun
Aleks Milosevic
G. Ron Frisch
Nicholas Rupcich
Leslie H. Lundahl
Publication date: 01-03-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9237-6

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