One part of the brain inhibits spending, while another section convinces people to spend more.
Researchers at Stanford University, Palo Alto have isolated a part of the human brain they think is associated with problem gambling. The scientists believe that further study on this part of the brain might lead to better treatments for a number of spending addictions. Results of the study were published in the journal “Neuron” on January 6.
The Gas Pedal and the Break
The Stanford researchers were studying the link between two parts of the brain: the anterior insula and nucleus accumbens. Using a technique called diffusion-weighted MRI, the scientists were able to detect a connection between these parts of the brain. Scientists had detected that connection in animal brains, but had never been able to detect such a link in humans.
It’s a possibly important connection, because these two parts of the brain briefly became controversial in 2010 when it was reported corporations were studying to see if the anterior insula and nucleus accumbens were the brain’s “Buy Button”. Under the still controversial theory, the nucleus accumbens was described as the “gas pedal” and the anterior insula was described as “the brake”. One seems more active when a person is buying goods and services, while the other is more active when the brain is practicing frugal behavior.
Brian Knutson Research
In a Stanford University news release, associate professor of psychology Brian Knutson wrote, “Activity in one brain region appears to indicate ‘Uh oh, I might lose money,’ but in another seems to indicate ‘Oh yay, I could win something.’ The balance between this ‘uh oh’ and ‘oh yay’ activity differs between people and can determine the gambling decisions we make.”
Thus, one part of the brain inhibits spending and the other spurs it on. If a connection could be found between the two parts of the brain, it could be shown that some physiological or neurological part of the brain might inhibit the spending triggers in the human mind. If so, treatments might be devised to strength this part of the brain, or make it more active, thus inhibiting problem gambling behavior.
Insulation of Brain Cells
To find a connector, the researchers began to study the insulation in the cells between the two parts of the brain. The researchers found that when the insulation in the cells was thicker, people exhibited more cautious spending behavior. When the insulation was not as thick, they exhibited more aggressive spending habits.
How the Study Worked
To study the connection, the researchers gave 32 different test subjects $10 apiece to gamble on a series of games. For each of these games, they were shown the odds and told they could either gamble or not. They were told they could keep any money they were given or won during the study.
They were placed inside an MRI chamber and shown a roulette wheel. The participants were told they could wager $3 a spin on the wheel. The subjects were given a variety of betting options, along with the odds they had on each proposition. Then their brain activity in this section of the brain was monitored, to see if certain players had more activity.
Riskier Bets and Increased Brain Activity
The researchers found that all those studied sometimes made riskier bets, even when people had a strong connector between the two parts of the brain. When they did, they part of the brain described as “the brake” was not as active, while the “gas pedal” was more active. By monitoring this brain activity beforehand, those studying the participants could predict how much they were going to bet.
Knutson wrote, “We could predict the person’s upcoming bet based on the balance of activity in these regions.”
Those with a stronger connection were less likely to have increased activity in the nucleus accumbens. That means pharmeceuticals, brain stimulation, and other techniques can be devised to strengthen the part of the brain which helps people resist compulsive gambling urges. That sounds like good news for problem gamblers and their families, while it is bad news for casino operators, racetracks, and lottery companies.
What Does It Mean?
Of course, it will take years to study how to activate the connectors between the anterior insula and nucleus accumbens. It is a start, though. Before answers can be devised, the next step is asking the right questions. Knutson wrote, “Now we can start asking interesting questions about impulse control and gambling. For example, does the connection change over the course of therapy?”
