Ventral tegmental area

The ventral tegmental area ( ventral tegmental area ) is in the mesencephalon ( midbrain ) medial to the substantia nigra and the red nucleus rostroventral situated cell group. It is referred to, together with their connections as dopaminergic mesolimbic system. Neurotransmitter such as the cell group in the substantia nigra dopamine. The projection of the ventral tegmental area via the medial cord telencephali (medial forebrain bundle ) in the nucleus accumbens and in the other important parts of the limbic system (eg amygdala and septum). The ventral tegmental area function is the activation of the mesolimbic system, which are regulated, among others, joy and other emotions. The basis for the development of addictive behavior is also suspected in this system. Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging of smokers could be shown for example, that in the moment when the smoker gets the desire for the next cigarette, the brain activity especially in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and ventral tegmental area in the increases.

Swell

• Martin Trepel: Neuroanatomy. Urban & Fischer, 3rd edition, 2003. ISBN 3437412973
• Http://www.anatomie.uni-tuebingen.de/project/projII/Neuroassistant/nuclei_deu/area_tegmentalis_ventralis.htm
• Http://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/44138

• Mesencephalon