Compulsive behaviour, an apparently irrational perseveration in often maladaptive acts, is a potential transdiagnostic symptom of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction, and may reflect the severe manifestation of a dimensional trait termed compulsivity. In this Review, we examine the psychological basis of compulsions and compulsivity and their underlying neural circuitry using evidence from human neuroimaging and animal models. Several main elements of this circuitry are identified, focused on fronto-striatal systems implicated in goal-directed behaviour and habits. These systems include the orbitofrontal, prefrontal, anterior cingulate and insular cortices and their connections with the basal ganglia as well as sensoriomotor and parietal cortices and cerebellum. We also consider the implications for future classification of impulsive–compulsive disorders and their treatment.

强迫行为是一种明显非理性的持续适应不良行为，是几种神经精神疾病（包括强迫症和成瘾）的潜在跨诊断症状，并且可能反映了称为强迫性的维度特征的严重表现。在这篇综述中，我们利用人类神经影像学和动物模型的证据，研究了强迫症和强迫症的心理基础及其潜在的神经回路。确定了该电路的几个主要元素，重点关注与目标导向行为和习惯有关的额纹状体系统。这些系统包括眶额皮质、前额皮质、前扣带皮层和岛叶皮质及其与基底神经节以及感觉运动皮质、顶叶皮质和小脑的连接。我们还考虑了对冲动强迫症的未来分类及其治疗的影响。