Mesolimbic pathway
The mesolimbic pathwayone ofneural pathways inbrain which linksventral tegmentum area inmidbrain tonucleus accumbens. Itone offour major pathways whereneurotransmitter dopaminefound.Itthoughtbe involvedproducing pleasurable feelingis often associatedfeelingsrewarddesire, particularly because ofconnection tonucleus accumbens which has also been associatedthese states. Becausethis, this pathwayheavily implicatedneurobiological theoriesaddiction.
The mesolimbic pathwayone ofmajor pathways targetted by antipsychotic medication. Although poorly understood, disruptiondopamine function (particularly, an excessdopamine)this area has been linkedpsychosis and'positive symptoms'schizophrenia (particularly delusionshallucinations). Successful antipsychotic medicationtherefore thoughthave its effect by blocking dopamine receptorsthis pathway.
See also
- addiction
- antipsychotic
- dopamine
- dopamine hypothesisschizophrenia
- psychosis
- schizophrenia
