title: Reversal learning as a measure of impulsive and compulsive behavior in addictions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our ability to measure the cognitive components of complex decision-making across species has greatly facilitated our understanding of its neurobiological mechanisms. One task in particular, reversal learning, has proven valuable in assessing the inhibitory processes that are central to executive control. Reversal learning measures the ability to actively suppress reward-related responding and to disengage from ongoing behavior, phenomena that are biologically and descriptively related to impulsivity and compulsivity. Consequently, reversal learning could index vulnerability for disorders characterized by impulsivity such as proclivity for initial substance abuse as well as the compulsive aspects of dependence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Though we describe common variants and similar tasks, we pay particular attention to discrimination reversal learning, its supporting neural circuitry, neuropharmacology and genetic determinants. We also review the utility of this task in measuring impulsivity and compulsivity in addictions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We restrict our review to instrumental, reward-related reversal learning studies as they are most germane to addiction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The research reviewed here suggests that discrimination reversal learning may be used as a diagnostic tool for investigating the neural mechanisms that mediate impulsive and compulsive aspects of pathological reward-seeking and -taking behaviors. Two interrelated mechanisms are posited for the neuroadaptations in addiction that often translate to poor reversal learning: frontocorticostriatal circuitry dysregulation and poor dopamine (D2 receptor) modulation of this circuitry. These data suggest new approaches to targeting inhibitory control mechanisms in addictions.
authors: Department of Psychology, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA. aizquie@calstatela.edu
authors: Alicia
authors: A
authors: Izquierdo
authors: J David
authors: JD
authors: Jentsch
mesh_terms: D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D012193:Reversal Learning / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015306:Biogenic Monoamines