Binge-Like Consumption of a Palatable Food Accelerates Habitual Control of Behavior and Is Dependent on Activation of the Dorsolateral Striatum

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3707-13.2014
• Publication Date: 2014-04-02T17:22:04Z
• Authors: Teri M. Furlong; Hirosha K. Jayaweera; Bernard W. Balleine; Laura H. Corbit
• Keywords: Food addiction; CNQX

Access to highly palatable and calorically dense foods contributes increasing rates of obesity worldwide. Some have made the controversial argument that consumption such can lead "food addiction," yet little is known about how long-term access might alter goal-directed learning decision making. In following experiments, rats were given 5 weeks continuous or restricted daily sweetened condensed milk (SCM) before instrumental training for food reward. Subsequently we examined whether performance was impaired in these groups using outcome-devaluation task. Control reduced responding devaluation earned outcome as did those with previous SCM. Of interest, SCM responded similarly under devalued nondevalued conditions, indicating loss control responding. To identify accompanied by differences neuronal activity, used c-Fos immunohistochemistry examine patterns activation during testing. We observed greater immunoreactivity dorsolateral striatum (DLS) associated cortical regions group received demonstrated a lack sensitivity devaluation. Infusion AMPA-receptor antagonist CNQX dopamine D1-receptor SCH-23390 into DLS testing restored group, confirming this region essential habit-based performance. These results indicate diet subsequent activity neural circuits support