The Human-Rodent Connection

University of British Columbia researchers, intent on judging whether blocking dopamine D4 receptors can reduce the urge to gamble in subjects other than humans, claimed in October to have devised a test that works on the dopamine receptors of rats — especially those with a gambling problem. With a slot machine-like device dispensing sugar pellets, researchers claimed they offered rats measured risks and determined that rats are more likely to take risks immediately following a close loss (as are humans), according to Science Daily.