Partnership with NICHD Analytical and Functional Biophotonics

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an imaging technology designed to be a less invasive, more cost-effective alternative to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for studying patterns of brain activation associated with various conditions and disorders. There is some scientific evidence to suggest that brain functioning of problem gamblers is different from that of non-problem gamblers, particularly in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. 

We have established a research partnership with the laboratory of Dr. Amir Gandjbakhche at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Dr. Gandjbakhche is an internationally recognized expert in fNIRS. Through this collaboration, we aim to evaluate the reliability, validity and feasibility of using the fNIRS for the study of gambling behavior. 

DHMH's Prevention and Health Promotion Administration

The Research Program on Gambling has established a partnership with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Prevention and Health Promotion Administration that will allow for questions related to gambling to be included in the annual population-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. This partnership with the BRFSS survey will allow for more frequent assessment of gambling behaviors as well as examination of these behaviors within the context of other health and risk behaviors in the State of Maryland population and nationally. The BRFSS program approved inclusion of a module of gambling questions in 2015.

Partnership with Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System (CODES)

Maryland's Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) was established in 1997 with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to improve highway safety through the use of linked motor vehicle crash data collected from police, emergency medical services (EMS), hospitals, and other sources. CODES data have been used by the National Study Center (NSC) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore over the years to respond to multiple data requests from the NHTSA and other state and local agencies on topics such as motorcycle crashes, child safety seats and red light running. Each of the databases used are collected through the individual agencies' routine course of business. Where necessary, data use agreements have been developed to guide the use of individual variables within the provided datasets.

Through the Research Program on Gambling's partnership with the CODES program, we are able to evaluate traffic and pedestrian safety issues in areas proximal to gambling venues.