<P> The mesolimbic pathway , sometimes referred to as the reward pathway , is a dopaminergic pathway in the brain . The pathway connects the ventral tegmental area , which is located in the midbrain , to the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle , which are located in the ventral striatum . The release of dopamine from the mesolimbic pathway into the nucleus accumbens regulates incentive salience ( i.e. , motivation and desire ) for rewarding stimuli and facilitates reinforcement and reward - related motor function learning ; it may also play a role in the subjective perception of pleasure . The dysregulation of the mesolimbic pathway and its output neurons in the nucleus accumbens plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of an addiction . </P>
<P> The mesolimbic pathway , sometimes referred to as the reward pathway , is a dopaminergic pathway in the brain . The pathway connects the ventral tegmental area , which is located in the midbrain , to the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle , which are located in the ventral striatum . The release of dopamine from the mesolimbic pathway into the nucleus accumbens regulates incentive salience ( i.e. , motivation and desire ) for rewarding stimuli and facilitates reinforcement and reward - related motor function learning ; it may also play a role in the subjective perception of pleasure . The dysregulation of the mesolimbic pathway and its output neurons in the nucleus accumbens plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of an addiction . </P>
where is the reward pathway located in the brain
where is the reward pathway located in the brain
the midbrain
the midbrain