Neural circuits in goal-directed and habitual behavior: Implications for circuit dysfunction in obsessive-compulsive disorder. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simmler, Linda D.; Ozawa, Takaaki
• Is Part Of: Neurochemistry international. Volume 129(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Basal ganglia -- Cortex -- Goal-directed behavior -- Habits -- Obsessive-compulsive disorder -- Sapap3; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Periodicals; 612.804205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104464
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-0186

Abstract

Abstract: Goal-directed and habitual actions are essential for normal functioning in everyday life. Goal-directed behaviors are actions that are executed to achieve specific goals. With repetition, such as a daily routine, these goal-directed actions become automatized and habitual. However, these useful behaviors can become aberrant, manifesting as key symptoms in several psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A comprehensive understanding of the neural circuits underlying both aberrant and non-pathological goal-directed and habitual behaviors can lead to improved treatments for OCD. Here we review the preclinical research that has advanced our understanding of the brain structures that control goal-directed and habitual behavior and discuss their relationships to the pathophysiology of OCD. Highlights: Outcome specific devaluation is a behavioral paradigm to test goal-directed and habitual behavior. Distinct neural circuits control goal-directed and habitual reward-seeking in outcome specific devaluation. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients show impaired goal-directed behavior or excessive habitual behavior, and might have cortico-striatal circuit dysfunction. OCD animal model studies facilitate deeper understandings of neural circuit dysfunction in human OCD patients.