Insight into the relationship between impulsivity and substance abuse from studies using animal models

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Addiction Research
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Drug use disorders are associated with impaired reward processing and behavioral control.
• Deficits in behavioral flexibility and impulse control are central to addiction progression.
• Understanding neural mechanisms of impulse control affected by drugs is crucial for new treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline common behavioral paradigms for measuring impulsivity in animal models.
• To discuss the role of reward-paired cues in impulsivity.
• To explore the neurobiological underpinnings of drug-induced impulsivity and its relation to addiction.

Main Methods:

• Review of common behavioral paradigms for assessing impulsivity across species.
• Discussion of the impact of drug exposure on impulsive behavior.
• Analysis of neurobiological evidence, particularly from orbitofrontal cortex studies.

Main Results:

• Naturally occurring impulsivity predicts future drug self-administration.
• Drug exposure can exacerbate impulsive responding.
• Compromised orbitofrontal cortex functioning is implicated in cognitive deficits following drug abuse.

Conclusions:

• Impulsivity may contribute to multiple stages of addiction.
• Changes in orbitofrontal cortex gene transcription and protein expression offer potential molecular targets for treating uncontrolled drug-seeking behavior.