Areas of the reward system
In this lesson, we'll take a closer look at some of the different areas of the reward system.
Ventral tegmental area
1) Watch this video:
2) Then, read this article: Know Your Brain - Ventral Tegmental Area
Nucleus accumbens
1) Watch this video:
2) Then, read this article: Know Your Brain - Nucleus Accumbens
Striatum
1) Watch this video:
2) Then, read this article: Know Your Brain - Striatum
Substantia Nigra
1) Watch this video:
2) Then, read this article: Know Your Brain - Substantia Nigra
Finally, answer these questions to test your understanding:
1. The striatum is commonly divided into dorsal and ventral components. The dorsal striatum is primarily composed of which two structures?
- A. caudate nucleus and putamen
- B. globus pallidus and nucleus accumbens
- C. putamen and subthalamic nucleus
- D. caudate nucleus and substantia nigra
Show Answer
Correct answer: A
The striatum is often conceptualized a being divided into dorsal and ventral sections; the dorsal striatum contains the caudate and putamen while the ventral striatum contains the nucleus accumbens.
2. Which two brain regions contain the largest concentrations of dopamine-producing neurons?
- A. caudate nucleus and putamen
- B. substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area
- C. nucleus accumbens and amygdala
- D. hypothalamus and thalamus
Show Answer
Correct answer: B
There are several areas of the brain where dopamine neurons are concentrated. The largest are the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area in the midbrain.
3. Which part of the substantia nigra is heavily populated with dopamine neurons?
- A. substantia nigra pars compacta
- B. substantia nigra pars reticulata
- C. both regions have equal numbers of dopamine neurons
Show Answer
Correct answer: A
The dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra are primarily found in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The substantia nigra pars reticulata is more heavily populated with GABA neurons.
4. The neurons of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway that project to the nucleus accumbens have their cell bodies located in which structure?
- A. ventral tegmental area (VTA)
- B. prefrontal cortex
- C. substantia nigra
- D. hypothalamus
Show Answer
Correct answer: A
The ventral tegmental area is a major source of dopamine neurons in the brain. In the mesolimbic pathway, these neurons project to the nucleus accumbens, a key structure in the ventral striatum involved in motivation and reward. Therefore, the cell bodies of these neurons are located in the VTA.
5. Which of the following is a main input area of the basal ganglia?
- A. substantia nigra pars reticulata
- B. internal globus pallidus
- C. nucleus basalis of Meynert
- D. striatum
Show Answer
Correct answer: D
Much of the information the basal ganglia receive comes from the cerebral cortex and travels first to the striatum, which is a main input area of the basal ganglia. The main output nuclei of the basal ganglia are the internal globus pallidus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata, which send projections out of the basal ganglia to the thalamus as well as to nuclei in the brainstem.
