Cocaine Disrupted Brain Circuits in Mice
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found cocaine hijacks motion-control pathways to cause repetitive behaviors.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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In August 2026, scientists identified that cocaine exposure disrupts the balance between go and stop pathways in the brain. This imbalance forces a transition from flexible choice to rigid, repetitive physical actions.
Why it matters
Understanding how drugs hijack existing neural circuits helps explain why addictive substances can turn natural actions into obsessive behaviors. This study highlights the specific mechanisms that cause flexible behavioral control to collapse.
A study in mice found that daily 30 mg/kg cocaine doses resulted in repetitive licking occupying 62% of total time. Meanwhile, moderate 20 mg/kg doses specifically affected the regions controlling locomotion.
The players
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
This is a public research university located in Israel that hosts the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences.
Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences
This department operates as an interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to the study of the brain and nervous system.
The details
Researchers utilized a deep-learning tool called STEREO to classify nine distinct action categories in mice while using optogenetics to manipulate neurons. Stimulating the stop pathway was shown to halt drug-induced repetitive behaviors in under one second.
Timeline
Mice received 30 mg/kg of cocaine daily over five days.
By day five, repetitive licking occupied over 62% of the mice's total time.
The Big Picture
This study extends the existing research conducted through the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences' neurobiology program. It provides new evidence on how substance exposure alters the fundamental architecture of decision-making circuits.
While this study focuses on mouse models, it improves the scientific understanding of how addictive substances physically alter brain function. These findings help define the neural basis for compulsive behaviors that often complicate recovery.
The takeaway
The research demonstrates that cocaine does not create new behavioral programs but instead hijacks existing motion-control circuits. This insight reinforces that addiction involves a biological disruption of the brain's natural ability to stop repetitive actions.
Further reading
For more on the mechanics of addiction, see our latest research in Substance Abuse.
More information
Read the full scientific study in Current Biology for detailed methodology.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Technology Networks.
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