Background: The possibility that monoaminergic neurotransmission is altered in pathological gambling was examined.
Methods: Monoamines and their metabolites were measured in CSF obtained at level L4-5 from ten pathological gamblers and seven controls.
Results: A decrease in dopamine and an increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanilic acid was found. Noradrenaline and its metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol was also increased but 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were unchanged.
Conclusion: It is suggested that the function of the dopaminergic system, possibly mediating positive and negative reward, and the noradrenergic system, possibly mediating selective attention, is changed in pathological gambling.