Pathological Gambling
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will determine whether the drug bupropion is an effective treatment for Pathological Gambling.
Detailed description
As gambling opportunities proliferate, PG has become a major health concern. Despite its importance, few treatment options with proven efficacy exist. This study will attempt to identify an effective treatment for PG. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either bupropion or placebo for 12 weeks. Participants are assessed at baseline and at Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Self administered questionnaires and interviews are used to assess participants. Follow-up assessments are made 1, 3, and 6 months after study completion.
Interventions
DRUGBupropion
18 subjects in this randomly controlled double blind study received bupropion.
DRUGPlacebo
21 subjects received Placebo.
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
University of Iowa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Meet the criteria for Pathological Gambling (DSM-IV-TR), through the administration of the National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems(NODS); * Meet the criteria for Pathological Gambling (DSM-IV-TR), through the administration of the National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems(NODS); * Receive a score of 5 or more on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS); * Have PG for at least one year; * Have had at least 2 or more gambling episodes during the 2-week screening period; * Speak standard English; * Be able to give written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Evidence of current (past 3 months) substance misuse; * Had a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)27 score of 18 or more (or a score on item 1 of greater than 2; * Had a current eating disorder (except binge eating disorder); * Had any history of seizures, or suicidal or aggressive behavior; * Had a urine drug screen positive for stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens, or phencyclidine; * Had a current or past psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or significant cognitive disorder; * Received monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 3 weeks of randomization, long acting phenothiazine within 3 months of randomization,fluoxetine within 4 weeks of randomization, or other psychotropic drugs within 2 weeks of randomization; * Had prior exposure to bupropion; * Were engaged in individual, group, or couples psychotherapy during the 2 weeks before randomization, (except Gamblers Anonymous).
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed