The reward pathway
ensures beneficial behaviour also called mesolimbic pathway connected to: ventral tegmental area nucleus accumbens prefrontal cortex
The reward pathway Body fully satisfied Signals from brain areas inform the VTA producing dopamine Dopamine travels along mesolimbic pathway Nucleus accumbens reward and sensation of pleasure Prefrontal cortex reasoning and planning
The reward pathway 1954 by James Olds and Peter Milner Electrodes into rats Continued to press lever (Hebel) Until exhausted
Addiction DDrugs elevate levels of dopamine bbursts of euphoria BBrain tries re-establishing balance ddecreasing brain‘s responsiveness to dopamine
Reducing dopamine receptors tolerant to the drug Withdrawal anhedonia inability to feel pleasure
The diencephalon Above midbrain between hemispheres important structures thalamus hypothalamus
Thalamus eessential in: ggating pprocessing ttransfering sensory information
Hypothalamus Functions controlled and regulated essential for motivation seeking out rewarding activities hormone regulator body‘s daily cycle: circadian rhythm
The basal ganglia Connected to cortex and thalamus Vital for coordination of fine movement parkinson‘s disease ganglia damaged
Amygdala Significant role generating emotional responses fear and desire affects the way we relate to world and others around us
Hippocampus forges memories works awake and asleep turns experiences in new neural pathways for future references
Limbic System Amygdala Hippocampus Basal ganglia various other structures Limbic System Key to processing of emotion and motivation
The Cortex crowning achievement cerebral cortex rippling outer layer → brain bark gives brain unique powers
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