Gambling Addiction

BRIEF SUMMARY A. "What is the purpose of this study?" This study will test whether the "AI City Hall Project" (QAIAx), a quantum artificial intelligence (AI) public health agency, can provide free or low-cost behavioral and mental health services inside self-contained, dome-enclosed communities called "Microcities". Researchers want to see if AI-managed public administration, AI humanoid robots, holoportation of human-figures via 'holo-suites' (e.g., AI-119 Kikkeri Holo-Suit; AI-119 Vulcan QM-Ware) and advanced AI mental-health tools can lower housing and care costs, improve mental health outcomes (e.g., particular ecosystems using AI tools among persons with one or more addiction disorders), and be financially sustainable for people on fixed incomes or public assistance. B. "What conditions does the study focus on?" The study focuses on adults with: * Autism spectrum disorders (Asperger's, autism, ADHD, ASD) * Substance use disorders (alcohol, opioids, marijuana, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, tobacco/nicotine) * Psychiatric conditions (personality disorders, narcissism, gender dysphoria, eating disorders) * Behavioral addictions (gambling, sex addiction) and related issues (sex offence history). C. "What does the study involve?" Eligible volunteers live in an omni AI-managed Microcity for up to 24 months. The community is housed in a geodesic dome that contains all daily necessities: housing, food, utilities, healthcare, and public services. Daily life is managed by an AI system (ISAC) and AI humanoid robots, with only occasional human oversight. Participants receive free mental-health treatment that may include AI-driven counselling, virtual-reality therapy (holo-suits), and non-invasive digital "attitude inoculation" protocols designed to reduce stress and addiction cravings. All participants also take AI-technology courses as a condition of enrolment. The study does not use any FDA-regulated drug, device, or biologic. \*\*Who can participate?\*\* You may be able to join if you: * Are an adult (18 years or older) * Have a diagnosis of one of the listed mental-health or addiction disorders * Are referred by a licensed health professional (e.g., RN, NP, PhD, MD), a non-profit organisation (e.g., 501(c)(3), university, church), or a public agency (e.g., case manager, social worker, parole/probation officer, judge) * Are willing to live in a closed, AI-managed community for up to one year and complete AI educational courses. Participants who are veterans, receive public assistance (e.g., VA disability, SSDI/SSI, Medicaid, Medicare), or are experiencing homelessness may be prioritised. \*\*Where is the study taking place?\*\* The study will be conducted at Microcity sites in the United States and internationally. The first administrative site is in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Additional sites are planned in partner nations, including tribal lands, military installations, and special economic zones. \*\*Who is sponsoring the study?\*\* The study is sponsored by \*\*Veterans Recovery Network Inc.\*\*, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with \*\*AI-119 Vulcan Project Research \& Educational Technology Co. (PRETCO)\*\* and an AI legal agency. The study is conducted under U.S. federal research and development authorities (28 U.S.C. §1498; 10 U.S.C. §129a) and is part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This summary describes a planned clinical study. Not all details may be final. Information may change as the study progresses.

Background The nature and direction of dysfunctional reward processing in gambling disorder remains unclear. We aim to test a novel neurobiological model of gambling addiction, that takes into account inter-individual differences, as well as the multifactorial nature of gaming addiction. Objectives Primary objective: This project will test the hypothesis that there are two opposite brain phenotypes that characterize two distinct subpopulations of gamblers, so-called impulsive vs. emotional, respectively. Secondary objective: This project will also seek to determine whether the brain phenotypes proposed above are capable of predicting gambling behavior outside the laboratory. Study design The primary objective will be tested using a reward task and a facial emotion recognition task performed by participants in an fMRI scanner. The secondary objective will be tested by combining fMRI measures with behavioral measures from everyday life collected via Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Study population This study will focus on individuals with gambling problems, as well healthy subjects with no gambling problems and no psychiatric comorbidities. Outcomes/Endpoints Primary endpoint: We will compare striatum and amygdala reactivity between the three groups of impulsive gamblers, emotional gamblers and healthy subjects. Secondary endpoint: We will assess the correlation between emotional states and gambling behavior in everyday life, based on striatum and amygdala reactivity, using multiple linear regression models.