Pathological Gambling: Compulsive-Impulsive Spectrum Disorder, Behavioural Addiction or Both? Phenotypic and Endophenotypic Evidence

Features of impulsivity and compulsivity are involved in PG phenomenology, and a large body of literature investigated these aspects primarily using clinical observations and self-report questionnaires. Moreover, cognitive measures of motor inhibition and decision-making abilities may represent promising endophenotypic indicators of behavioural regulation, and deficits in these functions are hypothesised to be implicated in PG. In light of the importance of integrating subjective and objective indicators in psychodiagnostic assessment, the present review will consider findings on phenotypic and endophenotypic indicators of impulsivity and compulsivity in PG. Furthermore, the two main theoretical models proposed for PG will be discussed. An in-depth understanding of the role played by impulsivity and compulsivity within PG is indeed necessary to address diagnostic and treatment issues.