Review of Orbitofrontal Cortex in Alcohol Dependence: A Disrupted Cognitive Map?

Abstract

Alcoholism is a persistent worldwide problem associated with long-lasting impairments to decision making processes. Some aspects of dysfunction are thought to reflect alcohol-induced changes to relevant brain areas such as the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). In this review, we will examine how chronic alcohol exposure alters OFC function to potentially contribute to maladaptive decision making, and explore experimental behavioral approaches that may be better suited to test whether alcohol dependence disrupts OFC's function. We argue that although past works suggest impairments in aspects of OFC function, more information may be gained by specifically targeting tasks to the broader function of OFC as put forth by the recent hypothesis of OFC as a "cognitive map" of task space. Overall, we suggest that such a focus could provide a better understanding of how OFC function changes in alcohol dependence, and could inform better assessment tools and treatment options for clinicians working with this population.

The role of the orbitofrontal cortex in creating cognitive maps

“…Maps formed with too little separation due to hypofunction in OFC would tend to underrepresent potential or hidden associations and meaning and be unable to link to and infer relationships to other maps, as we have seen here. This is also evident in substance use disorder, neurodegenerative diseases, and advanced aging, in which OFC function is compromised 5,6,38–41 , and in children and adolescents, which have immature frontal cortices 42,43 . Conversely, maps formed with too much separation due to an over-exhuberant OFC would tend to instill hidden meaning where it does not exist; notably such an effect is arguably evident in obsessive compulsive disorder and paranoid psychosis, which involve hyperfunction in the OFC and related areas 7,40,44–49 .…”

“…Also called associative models or cognitive maps 1 , these mental constructs are thought to be especially important for adaptive behavior under new or changed conditions 2,3 . The inability to use such models properly is thought to be a key feature of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia 4 , substance use disorder 5,6 , and obsessive compulsive disorder 7 . However, despite their importance, we are only beginning to understand the informational structure of cognitive maps and how the brain creates, stores, and uses them.…”

The Medial Orbitofrontal Cortex–Basolateral Amygdala Circuit Regulates the Influence of Reward Cues on Adaptive Behavior and Choice

“…This is characteristic of the cognitive symptoms underlying many psychiatric diseases, including substance use disorder (Kalivas and Volkow, 2005;Verdejo-Garcia et al, 2018). Moreover, both the mOFC and BLA, as well as their connectivity, can be dysfunctional in substance use disorder and other psychiatric illnesses marked by disrupted appetitive decision making (Tanabe et al, 2009;Goldstein and Volkow, 2011;Hahn et al, 2011;Linke et al, 2012;Sladky et al, 2015;Shields and Gremel, 2020;Xie et al, 2021). Thus, these data may aid our understanding and treatment of these conditions.…”

The medial orbitofrontal cortex - basolateral amygdala circuit regulates the influence of reward cues on adaptive behavior and choice

“…This is characteristic of the cognitive symptoms underlying many psychiatric diseases, including substance use disorder (Kalivas and Volkow, 2005; Verdejo-Garcia et al, 2018). Moreover, both the mOFC and BLA, as well as their connectivity, can be dysfunctional in substance use disorder and other psychiatric illness marked by disrupted appetitive behavior and decision making (Tanabe et al, 2009; Goldstein and Volkow, 2011; Hahn et al, 2011; Linke et al, 2012; Sladky et al, 2015; Shields and Gremel, 2020; Xie et al, 2021). Thus, these data may aid our understanding and treatment of these conditions.…”