Endocannabinoid Modulation of Orbitostriatal Circuits Gates Habit Formation.

ABSTRACT: Everyday function demands efficient and flexible decision-making that allows for habitual and goal-directed action control. An inability to shift has been implicated in disorders with impaired decision-making, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction. Despite this, our understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms and circuitry involved in shifting action control remains limited. Here we identify an endogenous molecular mechanism in a specific cortical-striatal pathway that mediates the transition between goal-directed and habitual action strategies. Deletion of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors from cortical projections originating in the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) prevents mice from shifting from goal-directed to habitual instrumental lever pressing. Activity of OFC

SUBMITTER: Gremel CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4911264 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature