Neural Mechanisms of Habitual Behavior and the Potential Applications of BCIs

Yihe Zhang

doi:10.54254/2753-8818/2025.AU24992

Theoretical and Natural ScienceOpen access

Neural Mechanisms of Habitual Behavior and the Potential Applications of BCIs

Research Article

Open Access

Neural Mechanisms of Habitual Behavior and the Potential Applications of BCIs

Yihe Zhang ^1*

¹ School of Biosciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, L69 7ZX

^*Corresponding author: yihezhang22@gmail.com

Published on 20 July 2025

TNS Vol.126

ISSN (Print): 2753-8826

ISSN (Online): 2753-8818

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-265-2

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-266-9

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Abstract

Habits are fundamental to human behavior, enhancing efficiency through repeated procedural responses. However, such automaticity can become maladaptive when behavioral flexibility declines. Dysfunctional habit circuits have been linked to addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These findings underscore the need for a mechanistic understanding of habit-related neural dynamics and precise interventions. This paper presents a literature review of the neural mechanisms underlying habitual behavior, emphasizing current and emerging applications of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), particularly closed-loop BCIs (CLBCIs), in the investigation and modulation of habitual control. The review identifies two core points: traditional models tend to oversimplify cortico-striatal dynamics, while newer BCI technologies may support more precise investigation. By discussing how BCIs address longstanding methodological gaps, this review highlights their potential for real-time modulation of habit-related circuits. While challenges remain in signal quality, regional integration, and biocompatibility, BCIs hold clear promise for advancing both neuroscience and clinical intervention.

Keywords:

Habitual Behavior, Neural Mechanisms, Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs), Closed-Loop BCIs (CLBCIs), Cortico-Striatal Circuits

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References

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[5]. Yin, H.H. (2025) ‘Aligning brain and behavior’, Current opinion in behavioral sciences, 62, p. 101487. Available at: https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2025.101487.

[7]. Michiels, M. et al. (2025) ‘The neural basis of habit formation measured in goal-directed response switching’, bioRxiv [Preprint]. Available at: https: //doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.13.643040.

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Cite this article

Zhang,Y. (2025). Neural Mechanisms of Habitual Behavior and the Potential Applications of BCIs. Theoretical and Natural Science,126,54-63.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICBioMed 2025 Symposium: AI for Healthcare: Advanced Medical Data Analytics and Smart Rehabilitation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-265-2(Print) / 978-1-80590-266-9(Online)

Editor: Alan Wang

Conference website: https://2025.icbiomed.org/auckland.html

Conference date: 17 October 2025

Series: Theoretical and Natural Science

Volume number: Vol.126

ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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