Rex has developed an addiction to alcohol.One of the circuits in his brain that is likely to be affected is the pathway from the:
A)hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.
B)substantia nigra to the basal ganglia.
C)ventral tegmental area to the limbic system.
D)ventral tegmental area to the thalamus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a key brain region involved in the reward system, and sends dopamine projections to the limbic system. Dopamine release in the limbic system is associated with feelings of pleasure and reinforcement, and it is believed that addictive substances such as alcohol hijack this reward pathway by increasing dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (a key part of the limbic system) through activation of the VTA. Therefore, the VTA to limbic system pathway is most likely to be affected in Rex's addiction to alcohol.

Rex Has Developed an Addiction to Alcohol