PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Scientists reduce behaviors associated with problem gambling in rats

2013-10-29
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Basil Waugh
basil.waugh@ubc.ca
604-822-2048
University of British Columbia
Scientists reduce behaviors associated with problem gambling in rats With the help of a rat casino, University of British Columbia brain researchers have successfully reduced behaviours in rats that are commonly associated with compulsive gambling in humans.

The study, which featured the first successful modeling of slot machine-style gambling with rats in North America, is the first to show that problem gambling behaviours can be treated with drugs that block dopamine D4 receptors. The findings have been published in Biological Psychiatry journal.

"More work is needed, but these findings offer new hope for the treatment of gambling addiction, which is a growing public health concern," says Paul Cocker, lead author of the study and a PhD student in UBC's Dept. of Psychology. "This study sheds important new light on the brain processes involved with gambling and gambling addictions."

For the study, rats gambled for sugar pellets using a slot machine-style device that featured three flashing lights and two levers they could push with their paws. The rats exhibited several behaviours associated with problem gambling such as the tendency to treat "near misses" similar to wins.

Building on previous research, the team focused on the dopamine D4 receptor, which has been linked to a variety of behavioural disorders, but never proven useful in treatment. The study found that rats treated with a dopamine D4 receptor-blocking medication exhibited reduced levels of behaviours associated with problem gambling.

While findings suggest that blocking the D4 dopamine receptor may help to reduce pathological gambling behaviours in humans, the researchers note that further research is needed before the drugs can be considered a viable pharmaceutical treatment for pathological gambling in humans.

### BACKGROUND

"Pathological gambling is increasingly seen as a behavioural addiction similar to drug or alcohol addiction, but we know comparatively little about how to treat problem gambling," says Cocker. "Our study is the first to show that by blocking these receptors we might be able to reduce the rewarding aspects of near-misses that appear to be important in gambling."

Methods: In the 16-month study, a cohort of 32 laboratory rats responded to a series of three flashing lights before choosing between two levers. One combination of lights (all lights illuminated) signaled a win and seven combinations (zero, one or two lights) signaled a loss. A "cash-out" lever rewarded the rat with 10 sugar pellets on winning trials, but gave a 10-second "time out" penalty on losing trails. The "roll again" lever allowed the rats to begin a new trial without penalty, but provided no sugar pellets.

Interestingly, the rats showed a tendency towards choosing the cash-out lever when two lights (near-miss) illuminated, suggesting that rats, like people, are susceptible to the near-miss effect. By blocking the D4 receptors with drugs, the researchers were successfully able to reduce the rat's choice of the "cash-out" lever on non-winning trials.

The D4 blocker drug used in the study has previously been tested on humans in attempts to treat behaviour disorders like schizophrenia but appeared to have no effect.

Near misses: This common cognitive bias is considered an important factor in the development of pathological gambling problems. The fact that slot machines tend to have a relatively high proportion of near-misses in comparison to other gambling games may be the reason that slot machines are such a particularly addictive form of gambling.

Study authors: Paul Cocker and Prof. Catharine Winstanley (UBC Dept. of Psychology), Bernard Le Foll (University of Toronto, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) and Robert D. Rogers (Bangor University). The study, A Selective Role for Dopamine D4 Receptors in Modulating Reward Expectancy in a Rodent Slot Machine Task, is available upon request.

UBC's Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioural Neuroscience, led by Psychology Prof. Catharine Winstanley, focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms of functions such as impulse control and gambling, leading to new and improved treatments for disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and drug addiction.

Problem gambling: Compulsive gambling affects between three and five percent of North Americans, according to recent statistics.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Child sexual abuse via the Internet on the rise

2013-10-29
Child sexual abuse via the Internet on the rise Sexual abuse of children and adolescents can have serious health consequences for victims. Early studies have revealed that child sexual abuse is associated with an increased risk of later mental and physical ...

Scientists gain new insights into dolphin's evolutionary history and conversation

2013-10-29
Scientists gain new insights into dolphin's evolutionary history and conversation October 29, 2013, Shenzhen, China - Researchers from Nanjing Normal University and BGI report their original genomic research on Baiji, also known as Yangtze River dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer). The study gives ...

New study on neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal exposure to paracetamol

2013-10-29
New study on neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal exposure to paracetamol Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used medicine in pregnancy, yet there are very few studies that have investigated the possible long-term consequences for the child. ...

Bats and whales behave in surprisingly similar ways

2013-10-29
Bats and whales behave in surprisingly similar ways Sperm whales weigh up to 50 tons, and the smallest bat barely reaches a gram. Nevertheless, the two species share the same success story: They both have developed the ability to use echolocation - a biological sonar - ...

Passing the Gac

2013-10-29
Passing the Gac Listeria's resistance to disinfectants Recent years have seen significant outbreaks of listeriosis on both sides of the Atlantic. Although the disease can usually be treated successfully, it is occasionally ...

ER study finds 1 in 10 older teens misuse Rx painkillers & sedatives

2013-10-29
ER study finds 1 in 10 older teens misuse Rx painkillers & sedatives If confirmed, findings suggest an opportunity to screen for prescription drug abuse risk -- and reduce potential for addiction or overdose ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With prescription drug abuse ...

New study: Enterocystoplasty in children with genitourinary abnormalities is safe and effective

2013-10-29
New study: Enterocystoplasty in children with genitourinary abnormalities is safe and effective Arnhem, 28 October 2013- Enterocystoplasty is a good surgical option with a low rate of severe complications in the treatment of children who were ...

How a metamaterial might improve a depression treatment

2013-10-29
How a metamaterial might improve a depression treatment ANN ARBOR—A brain stimulation technique that is used to treat tough cases of depression could be considerably improved with a new headpiece designed by University of Michigan engineers. Computer simulations ...

RI Hospital study measures impact of education, information on hand hygiene compliance

2013-10-29
RI Hospital study measures impact of education, information on hand hygiene compliance Compliance increased more than 25 percent over 4-year period PROVIDENCE, R.I. – How often do you clean your hands? A study at Rhode Island Hospital observed staff on 161,526 occasions ...

Evaluation of hospital infection prevention policies can identify opportunities for improvement

2013-10-29
Evaluation of hospital infection prevention policies can identify opportunities for improvement Washington, DC, October 29, 2013 – Identifying gaps in infection prevention practices may yield opportunities for improved patient safety, according to a survey published ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Transnational electoral participation of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the US

A new method to build more energy-efficient memory devices for a sustainable data future

Freely levitating rotor spins out ultraprecise sensors for classical and quantum physics

‘Chinese lantern’ structure shifts into more than a dozen shapes for various applications

Towards light-controlled electronic components

Tiny architects, titanic climate impact: scientists call for October 10 to become International Coccolithophore Day

Stress sensitivity makes suicidal thoughts more extreme and persistent among the university population

Lessons from Ascension’s shark troubles could help boost conservation

Fire provides long-lasting benefits to bird populations in Sierra Nevada National Parks

Menstrual cycle affects women’s reaction time but not as much as being active

Housing associations more effective than government in supporting unemployed in deprived areas

Biochar helps composting go greener by cutting greenhouse gas emissions

Ulrich named president-elect of the AACI

Multitasking makes you more likely to fall for phishing emails

Researchers solve model that can improve sustainable design, groundwater management, nuclear waste storage, and more

Parched soils can spark hot drought a nation away

Uncovering new physics in metals manufacturing

Sped-up evolution may help bacteria take hold in gut microbiome, UCLA-led research team finds

The dose-dependent effects of dissolved biochar on C. elegans: Insights into the physiological and transcriptomic responses

New research reveals genetic link to most common pediatric bone cancer

Research conducted during 2024 eclipse reveals importance of light on bird behavior

Why does female fertility decline so fast? The key is the ovary

Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds

Europe’s largest bats hunt and eat migrating birds on the wing, high in the sky

China’s emerging AI regulation could foster an open and safe future for AI

The secret to naked mole-rat’s longevity: Enhanced DNA repair

Acidic tumor environment promotes survival and growth of cancer cells

New biosensor tracks plants’ immune hormone in real time

New study finds gaps in REDD+ forest carbon offsets with most overstating climate impacts

Mystery solved: How Europe’s largest bat catches and eats passerines mid-air

[Press-News.org] Scientists reduce behaviors associated with problem gambling in rats