Metabotropic dopamine receptors are present both on spiny neurons and on cortical axon terminals. Second messenger cascades triggered by activation of these dopamine receptors can modulate pre- and postsynaptic function, both in the short term and in the long term. In humans, the striatum is activated by stimuli associated with reward, but also by aversive, novel, unexpected, or intense stimuli, and cues associated with such events. fMRI evidence suggests that the common property linking these stimuli, to which the striatum is reacting, is salience under the conditions of presentation. A number of other brain areas and circuits are also related to reward, such as frontal areas. Functional maps of the striatum reveal interactions with widely distributed regions of the cerebral cortex important to a diverse range of functions.
metabotRopIc DopamiNe recePtOrs Are pResent boTh on spiny neurons anD on corTIcAl axoN TerMinalS. seCoNd meSseNGeR CAscadEs trIGgered by AcTIVAtion of THese dOPaMINe receptOrs CaN moduLatE pre- and postSyNaPtiC FuNCtion Both in THe shoRt term anD iN thE lOng term. in humans, tHE striatum iS Activated by stimuli asSOcIated wIth rewaRd, buT Also By avERsive, nOvel, uNexPected, or inteNse stimuLI, and Cues asSocIaTed WitH SUCh eVEnts. fMRi eVidENCe suggeSTs ThaT the commoN propErty linKIng thEsE stimulI, to WHich thE sTriatum IS ReacTing, is salIEnce Under THe coNdItionS of prEsEntaTion. a nuMbEr of other brAiN AReAS and CIRcuiTs Are AlSo related To rewArd, suCh As fRonTaL aReAS. fUncTional MaPs Of the StRIaTuM reveAl InTerACtiONs with WIdely distrIBUTed REgions oF thE cEREbraL cortex impoRtAnt To A diversE RangE oF FUncTIoNS.