Researchers led by Jun Wang at Texas A&M studied how stress links to habit‑like behaviours such as drinking. The results were published in eLife and supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
The team found a direct pathway from stress centres in the brain to the dorsal striatum, the region that helps control actions and habits. The stress centres include the central amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. These areas send the stress chemical CRF (a signalling molecule) into the dorsal striatum.
Inside the dorsal striatum, CRF acts on special cells called cholinergic interneurons (CINs). These cells release acetylcholine and help the brain remain flexible. Alcohol during early withdrawal weakened CRF effects and slowed CIN activity, which reduces the brain’s ability to adapt.
Difficult words
- pathway — a route that connects two brain areas
- dorsal striatum — a brain region that helps control actions
- cholinergic — relating to cells that use acetylcholine
- interneuron — a small brain cell that connects to other cellsinterneurons
- withdrawal — the time after stopping alcohol use
- acetylcholine — a brain chemical that helps cells communicate
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Discussion questions
- Have you ever noticed a habit when you were stressed? Give a short example.
- Why is it a problem if the brain cannot adapt after alcohol use?
- How can stress change a person’s actions or habits?
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