Effect of new coumarin derivatives on the impulsive and compulsive components of gambling addiction in rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The search for new neuroactive compounds that selectively affect the mechanisms of emotional reinforcement in gambling addiction is of interest. No previous studies have examined the effects of coumarins on gambling addiction. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of new coumarin derivatives on the impulsive and compulsive components of gambling addiction in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of drugs on elements of gambling addiction were assessed in rats in the “marble burying” test and “probability and magnitude of reinforcement” in the three-arm maze, a version of the Iowa test. The effects of the following six coumarin derivatives were assessed: LVM-091, LVM-092, LVM-096, LVM-099, LVM-S144, and IEM-2886. RESULTS: In the “burrowing balls” test, substances synthesized based on coumarins LVM-092, LVM-099, LVM-S144, and IEM-2886 reduced the level of compulsivity, reducing the number of buried balls compared with the control and diazepam groups (p ≤ 0.05). In the “probability and magnitude of reinforcement” test, after the administration of drugs LVM-091, LVM-099, LVM-S144, and IEM-2886, the level of impulsivity and risk behavior decreased, reducing the number of animals entering the sleeve with the greatest reinforcement and its low probability. CONCLUSIONS: New coumarin derivatives cause an anticompulsive effect and reduce the impulsivity level in rats, which in the future can be used for treating obsessive–compulsive disorders and addictive conditions, such as Internet addiction and gaming addiction.