Exogenous Cannabinoids Impair Effort-Related Decision-Making via Affecting Neural Synchronization between the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens

Humans and animals frequently make an endeavor-based choice based on assessing reinforcement value and response costs. The cortical-limbic-striatal pathway mediates endeavor-based choice behavior, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Furthermore, cannabinoid agonists demonstratively impairs decision-making processes. In this study, neural synchronization and functional connectivity between the NAc and ACC while endeavor-related decision-making and reaching reward were evaluated. The effect of exogenous cannabinoids on this synchronization was then assessed. A T-maze decision-making task with a differential expense (low vs. high endeavor) and remuneration (low vs. high remuneration) was performed and local field potentials (LFP) from the ACC and NAc were registered simultaneously. Results showed functional connectivity during endeavor-related decision-making while the animals chose the high endeavor/high remuneration in both regions' delta/beta (1-4 and 13-30 Hertz) frequency bands. Furthermore, functional connectivity existed between both areas in delta/theta (1-4 and 4-12) frequencies while reaching a remuneration. However, neural simultaneity was not observed while the animals received cannabinoid agonists, making a decision and reaching remuneration. The obtained results demonstrated that functional connectivity and neural simultaneity between the NAc and ACC in delta/beta and delta/theta frequencies have a role in endeavor-related decision-making and reaching remuneration, respectively. The effect of exogenous cannabinoids on decision-making impairment is relevant to changes in the ACC and NAC brain wave frequencies.

Automated summary

Humans and animals make endeavor-based choices by assessing reinforcement value and response costs. The cortical-limbic-striatal pathway, especially the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) and the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), mediates this behavior. Cannabinoid agonists impair decision-making processes. In this study, neural synchronization and functional connectivity between the NAc and ACC were evaluated during endeavor-related decision-making and reaching reward, and the effect of cannabinoids was assessed. The results showed functional connectivity in specific frequency bands during decision-making and reaching reward, but not when animals received cannabinoid agonists.