Scientists identify brain's gambling centre

Betting your hard-earned cash may be an impulse created by specific parts of your brain, new research suggests

Based on findings from an fMRI study, scientists from the California Institute of Technology say parts of the brain can separate risk judgment from other brain functions, such as learning and motivation. These results could lead to new treatments for gambling addiction or other disorders where risk assessment is abnormal.

Your brain on Black Jack

Participants involved in the study were asked to choose two cards from a deck numbered one to ten.

Before the cards were revealed, the participants were asked to bet $1 on whether the first or second card would be higher.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), images were taken of the participant's brain to see which areas were active during the betting process.

The researchers then studied the brain during the "anticipatory" period, after the first card was revealed.

The researchers claimed that the participant's brain responded to either reward expectation or risk, distinguishing particular areas of the brain for each reaction.

The research method and findings are published in the latest edition of the journal Neuron.

Photography: Poker Slums

Source: Discovery Channel Reports, August 4 edition