What Is the Ventral Tegmental Area?

The ventral tegmental area of the midbrain (VTA for short) is part of the two main dopamine neural pathways. Scientists believe that it is related to the phenomenon of addiction in neurobiological theory and may also be related to Avoidance is related to fear-conditioning.

VTA

(Mentral ventral tegmental area)

discuss
The ventral tegmental area of the midbrain (VTA for short) is part of the two main dopamine neural pathways. Scientists believe that it is related to the phenomenon of addiction in neurobiological theory and may also be related to Avoidance is related to fear-conditioning.
Chinese name
Ventral tegmental area
Foreign name
Ventral tegmental area
Latin meaning
cover
English abbreviation
VTA
The ventral tegmental area of the midbrain ( Ventral tegmental area ; VTA for short, tegmentum means "cover" in Latin) is an area of the midbrain, also called the ventral tegmental area . This area is close to the substantia nigra and red nucleus. It is rich in dopamine and serotonin neurons and is part of two main dopamine neural pathways:
The mesencephalic limbic system pathway (mesolimbic pathway) from VTA to nucleus accumbens (nucleus accumbens).
Mesocortical pathway from VTA to frontal cortex.
Scientists believe that the ventral tegmental area is part of the pleasure system or the reward circuit (the main source of rewards and behavioral stimuli). When an action produces pleasure, it can stimulate the ventral tegmental area ; in addition, central nerve stimulants (such as cocaine) can directly stimulate this area. Therefore, the ventral tegmental area is considered to be related to the phenomenon of addiction in neurobiological theory.
At the same time, the ventral tegmental area also deals with many emotions and feelings of security, so it may be related to avoidance and fear-conditioning. [1]

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