3.5.8 Habit formation

Habit Formation Including the Neurobiology of Obsessions and Compulsions

Habit formation is a process by which a specific behaviour becomes automatic and repetitive over time. This process involves the strengthening of neural connections in the brain, particularly in the basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex. The basal ganglia are responsible for initiating and automating habitual behaviours, while the prefrontal cortex is involved in the decision-making and control of these behaviours. When a behaviour is repeated frequently, it becomes more automatic and is less reliant on conscious decision-making.

One study that investigated the neural basis of habit formation is “Habits, rituals, and the evaluative brain” by A. Dijksterhuis and M. Aarts (2010). In this study, the authors used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain activity during the formation of habits. They found that habit formation is associated with decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex and increased activity in the basal ganglia. This suggests that the brain becomes more efficient at performing a behaviour as it becomes more habitual, requiring less cognitive effort and conscious control.

Overall, the neural circuits involved in habit formation play a key role in automating behaviours and freeing up cognitive resources for other tasks.

Neurobiology of obsessions and compulsions:

Obsessions and compulsions are common symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, images, or impulses that are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate, while compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or as a way to reduce anxiety.

The neurobiology of OCD is complex and not fully understood, but research suggests that it may be related to dysfunction in brain circuits that regulate emotion, thought, and behaviour. Some studies have identified abnormalities in the activity and structure of certain brain regions, which are involved in the regulation of emotion and decision-making:

• Orbitofrontal cortex
• Anterior cingulate cortex
• Basal ganglia

Additionally, imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and glutamate, may play a role in the development of OCD. Dysfunction in these neurotransmitter systems has been linked to abnormal activity in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit, which is thought to be involved in the generation of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

The neurobiology of OCD involves complex interactions between brain circuits and neurotransmitter systems that regulate emotion and behaviour.

References:

(1) Abramowitz, J. S., Deacon, B. J., Olatunji, B. O., & Wheaton, M. G. (2010). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A contemporary overview. World Psychiatry, 9(1), 14-20.

(2) Dijksterhuis, A., & Aarts, H. (2010). Habits, rituals, and the evaluative brain. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 4(5), 358-369.

(3) Saxena, S., & Rauch, S. L. (2000). Functional neuroimaging and the neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry, 3(9), 35-43.