Study suggests basis for compulsive behaviours could be inflammation, not habit loop

Compulsive behaviours may not involve a "habit loop" that overrides self-control, but may instead involve inflammation in a brain region known to be important for choosing actions, according to a study in rats, challenging long-held views.

Behaviours in which people repeat a set of actions despite being aware of negative consequences -- such as handwashing or gambling -- are thought to stem from "entrenched habits, so it is difficult for people to break free and take back cognitive control," senior author Laura Bradfield, a behavioural neuroscientist at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, said.

Ordinarily, habits are useful because they allow us to act on autopilot, such as when we brush our teeth or drive a familiar route, so we can think about other things, Bradfield said.

"However, if we are driving and a child steps onto the road, then we suddenly become aware of our surroundings and focus on what we are doing. This involves taking back conscious control, thinking about possible outcomes and adjusting our behaviour," Bradfield said.