The orbitofrontal cortex regulates outcome-based decision-making via the lateral striatum.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Decision-making
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The orbitofrontal cortex (oPFC) projects to the ventrolateral striatum, but their functional relationship is unclear.
• Cortico-striatal circuits are implicated in addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the oPFC-striatal pathway in instrumental decision-making.
• To explore the involvement of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) in this circuit.

Main Methods:

• Surgical disconnection of the oPFC from the ventrolateral striatum in mice.
• Selective knockdown of Bdnf in the oPFC.
• Assessment of instrumental decision-making strategies and neurobiological markers (e.g., c-Fos).

Main Results:

• oPFC-striatal disconnection and oPFC Bdnf knockdown impaired sensitivity to outcome-predictive relationships.
• Bdnf knockdown altered striatal Bdnf expression and c-Fos levels.
• Findings suggest functional compartmentalization within the lateral striatum.

Conclusions:

• The oPFC-ventrolateral striatum pathway is crucial for outcome-based decision-making.
• The dorsal striatum supports stimulus-response habits, while the ventral striatum mediates outcome-based choices via oPFC interactions.
• This compartmentalization is relevant for both natural behaviors and addiction contexts.