Title:The Genetics of Problem and Pathological Gambling: A Systematic Review
Volume: 20
Issue: 25
Author(s): Agoston Gyollai, Mark D. Griffiths, Csaba Barta, Andrea Vereczkei, Robert Urban, Bernadette Kun, Gyongyi Kokonyei, Anna Szekely, Maria Sasvari-Szekely, Kenneth Blum and Zsolt Demetrovics
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Problem/pathological gambling, gambling addiction, behavioral addiction, systematic review, twin studies, genetic association
studies, reward deficiency syndrome.
Abstract: Background and aims: The primary aim of the present review was to summarize the findings of genetic studies conducted on
problem and pathological gambling. Method: Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Medline and the HuGE Navigator databases
using the keywords ‘gambling’ and ‘genetic*’. Results: The literature searches identified 21 empirical studies that had analyzed
data from eight independent samples. Empirical research utilizing twin data accounted for eight of the studies, while gene association
data were presented in 13 studies (including one genome wide-association study [GWAS] study). Twin studies emphasized the significant
role of genetic and individual environmental factors in problem and pathological gambling. Gene association studies primarily reported
the involvement of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. Discussion: Despite the relatively low number of genetic studies,
the data clearly indicated the genetic vulnerability of problem and pathological gambling. Studies to date have mainly investigated and
verified the role of factors reported to be important in other types of addiction, and it is suggested that pathological gambling should be
included as a subtype of ‘Reward Deficiency Syndrome’ (RDS). It is concluded that future research should attempt to identify possible
gambling specific susceptibility factors.
