| First Author | Gremel CM | Year | 2016 |
| Journal | Neuron | Volume | 90 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 1312-1324 |
| PubMed ID | 27238866 | Mgi Jnum | J:253350 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6109455 | Doi | 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.04.043 |
| Citation | Gremel CM, et al. (2016) Endocannabinoid Modulation of Orbitostriatal Circuits Gates Habit Formation. Neuron 90(6):1312-1324 |
| abstractText | 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 neurons projecting to dorsal striatum (OFC-DS) and, specifically, activity of OFC-DS terminals is necessary for goal-directed action control. Lastly, CB1 deletion from OFC-DS neurons prevents the shift from goal-directed to habitual action control. These data suggest that the emergence of habits depends on endocannabinoid-mediated attenuation of a competing circuit controlling goal-directed behaviors. |
