The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol 4(50) - Ex Libris: The WAGER

This week's WAGER presents four reference works that can be invaluable to the study of pathological gambling. The editorial staff of the WAGER refers to these books regularly for guidance (and inspiration). The books chosen for this issue are easy to find and are core volumes in any professional library. Most public libraries will have copies, as will larger bookstores and online booksellers. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) describes every mental disorder currently recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. For each disorder, DSM-IV provides diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, natural history, and limited epidemiological information.... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 4(49) - PET Peaks: Imaging the Gambling Brain

Neuroimaging is now a routine procedure, and "MRI" and "CAT-Scan" have become entrenched in the medical volcabulary of the lay person. But as these techniques become more common, the ways they are used in researching become more uncommon. Rogers, Owen, Middleton, Williams, Pickard, Sahakian, and Robbins (1999) used PET (positron emission tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technology to examine how participation in a gambling task affected patterns of blood flow in the brain. Their finding of localized "peak" regions of activity may shed light on the parts of the brain that are involved in the decision-making processes used by... Read more →