Amino Acids in Pathological Gambling and in its Alleviation: Pharmacological Approaches

Abstract

Labelling Pathological gambling (PG) with a tag of Socio-Psychological problem more than medical causes hampers its pharmacological treatment. Because of this, its neurobiology has been studied only a little, limited to abnormalities in the serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. Besides this; studies on the role of precursors of these neurotransmitters are almost negligible. Higher concentrations of known precursors like tryptophan, tyrosine and phenyl alanine have been reported in the CSF of pathological gamblers. In addition to this, recently many other inhibitory and excitatory amino acids like GABA, taurine, aspartic and glutamic acids have been found to be in much higher concentration, providing a basis for the candidate amino acids in the therapy of PG. Many of these amino acids have beneficial actions in a number of CNS problems. On this basis, as most of these amino acids are non-toxic and natural, such amino acids can be used as supplements /compliments in PG therapy. One of these amino acids, taurine, a sulfur containing amino acid which is now part of various energy drinks, anti-ageing and anti-diabetes formulas, mood enhancers and many more alternative medicine applications, also could exert beneficial actions in alleviating PG. Therapy with amino acids also has its own limitations; hence development of pro-drug derivatives of these amino acids may constitute a new class of therapeutic agent for PG. This review is a blended form of synthesis and synopsis about various amino acids in the context of PG, considering their potential utility and providing a provocative stimulus for scientific thinkers.