| WASHINGTON, March 19, 1999 - Released by the National
Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences yesterday, "Pathological
Gambling," validates the work of the National Center for Responsible Gaming.
The NCRG is the only national funding center for peer reviewed scientific
research on disordered gambling. The executive summary of the NRC report
was presented to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission and concluded
that more rigorous research is needed to prevent and treat pathological
gambling.
NCRG Executive Director Christine Reilly said that the "National Research
Council report confirms the NCRG's efforts to bring higher scientific standards
to research on disordered gambling and it is gratifying to learn that our
leadership has identified the same concerns as one of the most prestigious
academic bodies in the nation."
The NCRG agrees with the following points in the executive summary of
the NRC report:
-
The limitations of current screening instruments indicate the need for
more research and testing. The NCRG is funding the type of research that
will eventually provide a gold standard by which to measure the accuracy
of these instruments.
-
The strong familial factors observed in disordered gamblers show the need
for genetics studies. The NCRG is currently funding three research projects
on the role that genetics play in the development of thedisorder.
-
Estimates of the prevalence of disordered gambling among the general adult
U.S. population are in the range of 0.9%-1.5%. The NRC estimates prevalence
rate of disordered gambling 0.9% prior year and 1.5% over the course of
a lifetime. The NCRG-funded Harvard Medical School study (1997) estimates
a 1.29% prevalence rate among the adult population.
-
A higher rate of disordered gambling is found in the youth population.
The NCRG is currently supporting five research investigations of youth
gambling.
-
Treatment programs should be evaluated rigorously. The NCRG is currently
supporting clinical trials of cognitive therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy,
and drug therapy.
-
Past research on disordered gambling is of "limited scientific value."
Consequently, the NCRG uses the rigorous standards of the National Institutes
of Health to evaluate research proposals.
The NCRG, an independent nonprofit (501 C 3) organization affiliated with
the University of Missouri Kansas City, has awarded a total of $2.5 million
in research grants since 1996.
The National Center for Responsible Gaming is the first
national organization devoted exclusively to funding scientific research
on problem and underage gambling.
The mission of the Center is to help individuals and families
affected by problem gambling disorders and eliminate underage gambling
by:
-
Supporting the finest peer-reviewed basic and applied research
on gambling disorders.
-
Encouraging the application of new research findings to improve
prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies.
-
Enhancing public awareness of problem and underage gambling.
|
|
