A study by the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (Idibell) and the Bellvitge University Hospital (Barcelona) has described six genetic variants “closely associated” with a increased vulnerability to gambling addiction.
In a statement this Wednesday, the centers have reported that the study, published in ‘Scientific Reports’, has identified six gene changes Neutrophic factors, which are small proteins that regulate neuronal activity.
These factors are also implicated, according to previous studies, in other psychiatric disorders such as substance addictionsAnd it’s not the first time they meet points in common between both types of addictionsaccording to Idibell.
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They involve the same brain regions and they also share signal transmission mechanisms between neurons in the processes of impulsivity, reward or decision making.
The project leader Susana Jiménez has celebrated that the study is a another tool that can help “both in the diagnosis and treatment of patients“.