Integrating neurocognition from bench to bedside in gambling disorder: from neurocognitive to translational studies

The relation between neurocognitive dysfunctions and disordered gambling has been firmly established in the last few decades. In this current opinions article, recent classification, translational, and longitudinal studies imply that combinations of cognitive (both neurocognitive and cognitive distortions) and emotional functioning (emotion regulation, stress), are related to more severe patterns of disordered gambling. The first longitudinal studies show that impulsivity is an important factor in treatment drop-out and relapse. These recent studies imply that therapeutic interventions in gambling disorder are needed, targeting cognitive, motivational, and affective factors. Recent developments in therapeutic methods, such as stress modulation, neuromodulation and neurocognitive training targeting these factors, are an emerging research field in addictive disorders, but are largely unexplored in gambling disorder.