Cited by 989Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

High Impulsivity Predicts the Switch to Compulsive Cocaine-Taking

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Belin, David, Mar, Adam C., Dalley, Jeffrey W., Robbins, Trevor W., Everitt, Barry J.·2008·Science

Abstract

Both impulsivity and novelty-seeking have been suggested to be behavioral markers of the propensity to take addictive drugs. However, their relevance for the vulnerability to compulsively seek and take drugs, which is a hallmark feature of addiction, is unknown. We report here that, whereas high reactivity to novelty predicts the propensity to initiate cocaine self-administration, high impulsivity predicts the development of addiction-like behavior in rats, including persistent or compulsive drug-taking in the face of aversive outcomes. This study shows experimental evidence that a shift from impulsivity to compulsivity occurs during the development of addictive behavior, which provides insights into the genesis and neural mechanisms of drug addiction.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.1158136

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  • The observed general shift towards S-R habits could be a consequence of chronic alcohol use by repeated exposure to the harmful effects of drugs of abuse, or a predisposing trait or vulnerability for the development of compulsive and impulse regulation disorders, or both.

    “This observed general shift towards S–R habits could be a consequence of chronic alcohol use by repeated exposure to the harmful effects of drugs of abuse31,56,57 or a predisposing trait or vulnerability for the development of compulsive and impulse regulation disorders, or both.53,58”
  • High impulsivity predicts the development of compulsive drug-taking, whereas high reactivity to novelty predicts the propensity to initiate cocaine self-administration.

    “Using a similar approach, Belin et al. (Belin et al., 2008) further showed that high impulsivity predicts the development of compulsive drug-taking, whereas high reactivity to novelty predicts the propensity to initiate cocaine self-administration.”

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Authors
Belin, D., Mar, A. C., Dalley, J. W., Robbins, T. W., & Everitt, B. J.
Affiliations
University of Cambridge (GB)
Venue
Science
Published
2008-06-06
Volume
320
Issue
5881
Pages
1352-1355
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2029087047
Cited by
989
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 120 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 58 · 2016: 51 · 2015: 64 · 2014: 69 · 2013: 84 · 2012: 66
FWCI
30.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
impulsivity, compulsive drug taking, cocaine self-administration, novelty seeking, addiction, compulsive behavior, aversive outcomes, drug addiction vulnerability, rats
MeSH terms
Animals, Cocaine, Compulsive Behavior, Exploratory Behavior, Impulsive Behavior, Male, Motor Activity, Self Administration, Behavior, Addictive, Cocaine-Related Disorders, Models, Animal, Rats

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