Background: The efficacy and tolerability of acamprosate has been tested in the treatment of pathological gambling (PG). Acamprosate is known to reduce alcohol craving and use in persons with alcohol dependence, and it has been hypothesized that the drug would have a similar effect in individuals with PG.

Methods: Participants with DSM-IV criteria for PG received acamprosate in an 8-week, open-label trial following a 2-week observation. The primary efficacy measure was the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for PG (Y-BOCS-PG). Secondary efficacy measures included the Gambling Severity Assessment Scale (GSAS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Improvement and Severity Scales, a patient self-rated global rating, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and the Timeline Follow Back (TLFB). The study was conducted at 2 sites.

Results: Twenty-six participants (11 men, 15 women) had at least 1 post-baseline visit and were included in the analysis. Twenty participants (77%) completed the protocol. Significant improvement was observed in Y-BOCS-PG and GSAS scores, both CGI scales, a patient self-rated global scale, all 3 SDS subscales, and number of gambling episodes. Seventeen participants (65%) were considered responders (ie, achieved "much" or "very much" improvement). Improvements on the HDRS, in money wagered, and in time spent gambling were not significant. Few adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: The results suggest that acamprosate is well tolerated and may be effective in the treatment of PG.

Download full-text PDF

Source

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

open-label trial
8
treatment pathological
8
pathological gambling
8
scales patient
8
patient self-rated
8
self-rated global
8
scale sds
8
acamprosate
5
gambling
5
scale
5

Similar Publications

Transanal vs Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision and 3-Year Disease-Free Survival in Rectal Cancer: The TaLaR Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA

January 2025

Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Importance: Previous studies have demonstrated the advantages of short-term histopathological outcomes and complications associated with transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) compared with laparoscopic TME. However, the long-term oncological outcomes of transanal TME remain ambiguous. This study aims to compare 3-year disease-free survival of transanal TME with laparoscopic TME.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Individuals with long-COVID exhibit a higher frequency of hypomagnesemia, vitamin D deficiency, and depression. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral supplementation with magnesium chloride plus vitamin D in alleviating depressive symptoms related to long-COVID.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Outpatient worsening heart failure (HF), defined by initiation or intensification of diuretics, is adversely prognostic for patients with either reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the prognostic value of outpatient worsening HF in transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy and the effect of patisiran treatment.

Methods: Post hoc analyses of the APOLLO-B trial (NCT03997383) evaluated the associations between outpatient worsening HF (defined by oral diuretic initiation or intensification), measures of disease progression, and a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: ALLEGRO-LT is an ongoing, long-term, open-label, multicentre, phase 3 study of ritlecitinib in adults and adolescents with alopecia areata (AA).

Objectives: To evaluate ritlecitinib safety and efficacy through Month 24 in patients with AA and ≥25% scalp hair loss.

Methods: ALLEGRO-LT enrolled rollover patients who previously received study intervention in either ALLEGRO phase 2a or 2b/3 studies and de novo patients who had not received treatment in either study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Patients with uncontrolled gout have few treatment options. Pegloticase lowers serum urate (SU) levels, but antidrug antibodies limit SU-lowering response and increase infusion reaction (IR) risk. Methotrexate (MTX) cotherapy increases pegloticase response rates and lowers IR risk in pegloticase-naïve patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!