PSYC 311 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13.6: Basal Forebrain, Preoptic Area, Mesolimbic Pathway

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 311
• Professor: Michalakis Petrides

Document Summary

Learning provides a means for us to profit from experience and make responses that provide favourable outcomes. Favourable outcomes activate reinforcement mechanisms in the brain, and the establishment of synaptic changes is facilitated. Research shows that although there are several different reinforcement mechanisms, the activity of dopaminergic neurons play a particularly important role in reinforcement. Neurons in the nac project to the ventral part of the basal ganglia which are involved in learning. The mesocortical system also plays a role in reinforcement: this system also begins in the ventral tegmental area, but projects to the pfc, the limbic cortex, and the hippocampus. Using microdialysis, it was shown that reinforcing electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle or the vta, or the administration of cocaine/amphetamines, causes the release of dopamine in the nac. The medial forebrain bundle connects the ventral tegmental area with the nucleus acumbens.