Work

Operant light self-administration in mice and its relevance to digital technology-based disorders

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Behavioral addictions share symptomatological features with substance addiction. From the associative learning perspective, these characteristics include excessive and unregulated self-administration of sensory and other reinforcers, potentially reflecting the transition from goal-directed actions (action → outcome associations) to habitual responses (stimulus → response associations). In laboratory mice, light stimulation at an optimal intensity possesses some incentive properties and a brief light pulse represents an effective reinforcer for persistent operant responding. The operant light self-administration paradigm with clearly defined sensory reinforcers and reinforcement schedules may be utilized to elucidate the general mechanisms of excessive habitual responding to seek non-drug and non-feeding cues in mice. This cross-species approach can shed light on some maladaptive habits that have emerged recently in our modern society, including digital technology-based disorders.

Source: Journal of Behavioral Addictions

DOI: 10.1556/2006.2025.00017

Authors: Shu K. E. Tam, Aleksandra Stryjska, Helene Gu, Benjamin Becker

Institutions: First People's Hospital of Kunshan, Duke Kunshan University, University of Hong Kong

Language: English

Topic: Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $916