Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can induce long lasting alterations to executive function. This includes altered action control, which can manifest as dysfunctional goal-directed control. Cortical and striatal circuits mediate goal-directed control over behavior, and prior research has found chronic alcohol disrupts these circuits. In particular, prior in vivo and ex vivo work have identified alterations to function and activity of dorsal medial striatum (DMS), which is necessary for goal-directed control. However, unknown is whether these alterations manifest as altered activity of select DMS populations during behavior. Here we examine effects of prior chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity modulation during action-related behaviors via fiber photometry of genetically-identified DMS populations including the direct and indirect output pathways, and fast-spiking interneurons. We find that prior chronic alcohol exposure leads to increased calcium modulation of the direct pathway during action related behavior. In contrast, prior chronic alcohol exposure led to decreased calcium activity modulation of the indirect pathway and the fast-spiking interneuron population around action-related events. Together, our findings suggest an imbalance in striatal activity during action control. This disruption may contribute to the altered goal-directed control previously reported.
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can induce long lasting alterations to executive function. This includes altered action control, which can manifest as dysfunctional goal-directed control. Cortical and striatal circuits mediate goal-directed control over behavior, and prior research has found chronic alcohol disrupts these circuits. In particular, prior in vivo and ex vivo work have identified alterations to function and activity of dorsal medial striatum (DMS), which is necessary for goal-directed control. However, unknown is whether these alterations manifest as altered activity of select DMS populations during behavior. Here we examine effects of prior chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity modulation during action-related behaviors via fiber photometry of genetically-identified DMS populations including the direct and indirect output pathways, and fast-spiking interneurons. We find that prior chronic alcohol exposure leads to increased calcium modulation of the direct pathway during action related behavior. In contrast, prior chronic alcohol exposure led to decreased calcium activity modulation of the indirect pathway and the fast-spiking interneuron population around action-related events. Together, our findings suggest an imbalance in striatal activity during action control. This disruption may contribute to the altered goal-directed control previously reported.
Executive Function Deficits in Alcohol Use Disorder
Chronic alcohol use significantly impacts executive function, notably disrupting action control and goal-directed behavior. Neuroanatomical substrates implicated in this impairment include corticostriatal circuitry, particularly the dorsal medial striatum (DMS), a region crucial for goal-directed control. While prior research indicates that chronic alcohol consumption alters DMS structure and function, the precise impact on distinct neuronal populations within the DMS during behavioral tasks remains unclear.
Investigating DMS Neuronal Activity Modulation
This study employed fiber photometry to investigate the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity modulation within genetically identified DMS neuronal populations—specifically, direct and indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs)—during action-related behaviors. The results provide a detailed analysis of neuronal activity patterns within the DMS in response to alcohol exposure.
Altered Calcium Activity in DMS Subpopulations
Findings demonstrate that prior chronic alcohol exposure results in heightened calcium modulation within the direct pathway MSNs during action-related behaviors. Conversely, a decrease in calcium activity modulation was observed in both the indirect pathway MSNs and FSIs around action-related events.
Imbalance in Striatal Activity and Goal-Directed Control
These findings suggest a significant disruption in the balance of striatal activity underlying action control. This observed imbalance may contribute to the previously documented impairments in goal-directed behavior associated with chronic alcohol use.
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can induce long lasting alterations to executive function. This includes altered action control, which can manifest as dysfunctional goal-directed control. Cortical and striatal circuits mediate goal-directed control over behavior, and prior research has found chronic alcohol disrupts these circuits. In particular, prior in vivo and ex vivo work have identified alterations to function and activity of dorsal medial striatum (DMS), which is necessary for goal-directed control. However, unknown is whether these alterations manifest as altered activity of select DMS populations during behavior. Here we examine effects of prior chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity modulation during action-related behaviors via fiber photometry of genetically-identified DMS populations including the direct and indirect output pathways, and fast-spiking interneurons. We find that prior chronic alcohol exposure leads to increased calcium modulation of the direct pathway during action related behavior. In contrast, prior chronic alcohol exposure led to decreased calcium activity modulation of the indirect pathway and the fast-spiking interneuron population around action-related events. Together, our findings suggest an imbalance in striatal activity during action control. This disruption may contribute to the altered goal-directed control previously reported.
Executive Function Deficits and Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) significantly impacts executive functions, particularly action control and goal-directed behavior. Neurobiological research indicates that the disruption of cortical and striatal circuits underlies these deficits. The dorsal medial striatum (DMS), a key brain region for goal-directed control, shows functional and activity alterations in individuals with AUD, as evidenced by in vivo and ex vivo studies.
Investigating DMS Neuronal Activity in AUD
This study investigated the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity within distinct DMS neuronal populations during goal-directed behaviors. Using fiber photometry, researchers examined genetically identified DMS populations: direct and indirect pathway neurons, and fast-spiking interneurons.
Altered Calcium Modulation in DMS Subpopulations
Chronic alcohol exposure resulted in increased calcium modulation within the direct pathway during action-related behaviors. Conversely, the indirect pathway and fast-spiking interneurons exhibited decreased calcium activity modulation around similar behavioral events.
Imbalance in Striatal Activity and Goal-Directed Control
These findings suggest a significant imbalance in striatal activity during action control in individuals with a history of AUD. This disruption likely contributes to the previously observed impairments in goal-directed behavior associated with the disorder.
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can induce long lasting alterations to executive function. This includes altered action control, which can manifest as dysfunctional goal-directed control. Cortical and striatal circuits mediate goal-directed control over behavior, and prior research has found chronic alcohol disrupts these circuits. In particular, prior in vivo and ex vivo work have identified alterations to function and activity of dorsal medial striatum (DMS), which is necessary for goal-directed control. However, unknown is whether these alterations manifest as altered activity of select DMS populations during behavior. Here we examine effects of prior chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity modulation during action-related behaviors via fiber photometry of genetically-identified DMS populations including the direct and indirect output pathways, and fast-spiking interneurons. We find that prior chronic alcohol exposure leads to increased calcium modulation of the direct pathway during action related behavior. In contrast, prior chronic alcohol exposure led to decreased calcium activity modulation of the indirect pathway and the fast-spiking interneuron population around action-related events. Together, our findings suggest an imbalance in striatal activity during action control. This disruption may contribute to the altered goal-directed control previously reported.
Alcohol's Impact on the Brain's Control Center
Alcohol abuse can cause long-term changes in the brain's ability to make decisions and control actions. This is because alcohol affects the brain areas responsible for planning and executing goals. Studies show that chronic alcohol use harms the brain's circuits involved in this process. Specifically, it affects the dorsal medial striatum (DMS), a key area for goal-directed behavior. This research investigates how chronic alcohol use changes the activity of different cell types within the DMS during actions.
Examining the Effects of Alcohol on Brain Cell Activity
Using a technique called fiber photometry, researchers examined the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity in specific DMS cell populations—direct and indirect pathways, and fast-spiking interneurons—during goal-directed actions. The findings show that chronic alcohol use increased calcium activity in the direct pathway during these actions. Conversely, it decreased activity in the indirect pathway and fast-spiking interneurons.
Imbalance in Brain Activity and Impaired Control
These findings indicate an imbalance in the activity of brain cells involved in action control. This disruption might explain the impaired decision-making and goal-directed behavior seen in people with alcohol use disorder.
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can induce long lasting alterations to executive function. This includes altered action control, which can manifest as dysfunctional goal-directed control. Cortical and striatal circuits mediate goal-directed control over behavior, and prior research has found chronic alcohol disrupts these circuits. In particular, prior in vivo and ex vivo work have identified alterations to function and activity of dorsal medial striatum (DMS), which is necessary for goal-directed control. However, unknown is whether these alterations manifest as altered activity of select DMS populations during behavior. Here we examine effects of prior chronic alcohol exposure on calcium activity modulation during action-related behaviors via fiber photometry of genetically-identified DMS populations including the direct and indirect output pathways, and fast-spiking interneurons. We find that prior chronic alcohol exposure leads to increased calcium modulation of the direct pathway during action related behavior. In contrast, prior chronic alcohol exposure led to decreased calcium activity modulation of the indirect pathway and the fast-spiking interneuron population around action-related events. Together, our findings suggest an imbalance in striatal activity during action control. This disruption may contribute to the altered goal-directed control previously reported.
Summary
Drinking too much alcohol can change how your brain works, especially the part that helps you plan and do things. This part of the brain, called the striatum, has different parts that work together like a team. Scientists used special tools to see how these parts of the striatum worked in animals that had been drinking a lot of alcohol. They found that one part of the team became more active, while another part became less active. This imbalance could be why people who drink too much alcohol have trouble making good decisions and controlling their actions.