Data and Analysis Code: Compulsive alcohol drinking in rodents is associated with neural activity patterns reflecting diminished behavioral control and enhanced seeking representations in dorsal medial prefrontal cortex

This file contains spike sorted data and analysis code for a study examining compulsive drinking in a rodent model of alcohol use disorder. <br><br>Abstract: <br>A defining feature of compulsive drinking is continuing to drink despite negative consequences. This behavior characterizes an advanced stage of an Alcohol Use Disorder that is associated with poor treatment outcomes. We used a rodent model of compulsive drinking to examine the role played by dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), a brain region involved in maladaptive decision-making in addiction. We developed novel advances in principal component and change point analyses to dissect neural population representations of specific decision-making variables. Compulsive subjects showed weakened representations of behavioral control signals that relate to drinking within a trial, but strengthened session-wide seeking state representations that were associated with drinking engagement at the start of each drinking opportunity. Finally, chemogenetic-based excitation of dmPFC prevented escalation of compulsive drinking. Collectively, these data indicate that compulsive drinking is associated with alterations in dmPFC neural activity that underlie diminished behavioral control and enhanced seeking. <br>