High School

Which of the following dopamine pathways is hypothesized to be associated with reinforcement and reward?

a. Mesocortical dopamine pathway
b. Mesolimbic dopamine pathway
c. Tuberoinfundibular dopamine pathway
d. Nigrostriatal dopamine pathway

Answer :

(b). The mesolimbic dopamine pathways is hypothesized to be associated with reinforcement and reward.

Involves dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, and its activation drives behaviors critical for survival and enjoyment. Drugs can also activate this pathway, reinforcing certain behaviors. Pathway starts with dopaminergic cell bodies in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that extend axons to the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex.

Pathway is critical in controlling reward and motivation, and its activation is involved in promoting behaviors that are necessary for survival. The release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens increases when engaging in rewarding activities like eating, sex, and even playing video games, and this release can also be induced by substances like cocaine and amphetamine, which reinforces the behavior.