Habitual Alcohol Seeking: Neural Bases and Possible Relations to Alcohol Use Disorders. (25th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corbit, Laura H.; Janak, Patricia H.
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 40:Number 7(2016)
• Page Start: 1380
• Page End: 1389
• Publication Date: 2016-05-25
• Subjects: Outcome Devaluation -- Pavlovian–Instrumental Transfer -- Ethanol -- Dorsal Striatum -- Stimuli -- Habit Learning; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.13094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

Abstract : Loss of flexible control over alcohol use may contribute to the development of alcohol use disorders. An increased contribution of response habits to alcohol‐related behaviors may help explain this loss of control. Focusing on data from outcome devaluation and Pavlovian–instrumental transfer procedures, we review evidence for loss of goal‐directed control over alcohol seeking and consumption drawing from both preclinical findings and clinical data where they exist. Over the course of extended alcohol self‐administration and exposure, the performance of alcohol‐seeking responses becomes less sensitive to reduction in the value of alcohol and more vulnerable to the influences of alcohol‐predictive stimuli. These behavioral changes are accompanied by a shift in the corticostriatal circuits that control responding from circuits centered on the dorsomedial to those centered on the dorsolateral striatum. These changes in behavioral and neural control could help explain failures to abstain from alcohol despite intention to do so. Understanding and ultimately ameliorating these changes will aid development of more effective treatment interventions. Abstract : Loss of control over alcohol intake may be partly explained by increased contributions of response habits to alcohol‐related behaviors. We review preclinical and clinical evidence for loss of goal‐directed control over alcohol seeking and consumption. The findings collectively show that, over time, the performance of alcohol‐seeking responses becomes less sensitive to reductions in the value of alcohol and more vulnerable to influences of alcohol‐predictive stimuli and that these changes are accompanied by a shift in the neuronal circuits that control responding from the dorsomedial to the dorsolateral striatum. These changes in behavioral and neural control could help explain failures to abstain from alcohol despite intention to do so.