Ruth van Holst her research centers on understanding the neuro-cognitive mechanisms underlying maladaptive decision-making and compulsive behaviours, such as those seen in gambling disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance use disorder. She has extensively studied gambling, examining its neurocognitive characteristics and recently also more into understanding the development of gambling problems and harms in young people and how to prevent and reduce these harms. Her research group employs various neuroimaging techniques, such as functional MRI and PET scans, cognitive testing, and qualitative interview techniques.