Neural circuits in goal-directed and habitual behavior: Implications for circuit dysfunction in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Linda D Simmler; Takaaki Ozawa

doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104464

Neural circuits in goal-directed and habitual behavior: Implications for circuit dysfunction in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Neurochem Int. 2019 Oct:129:104464. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104464. Epub 2019 May 10.

Authors

Linda D Simmler¹, Takaaki Ozawa²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206, Geneva, Switzerland.
² Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan. Electronic address: takaaki.ozawa@human.tsukuba.ac.jp.

PMID: 31078577
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104464

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.

Keywords: Basal ganglia; Cortex; Goal-directed behavior; Habits; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Sapap3.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Behavior / physiology*
Brain / physiopathology*
Disease Models, Animal
Goals*
Humans
Nerve Net / physiopathology
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / physiopathology*