Basal Ganglia & Dopaminergic Pathways for the USMLE Step 1

Brain Reward System: Schematic Representation of Dopaminergic Projections that make up the Brain Reward System: The brain’s reward system is organized around dopaminergic neurons whose cell bodies are primarily located in the ventral tegmental area, or VTA. These neurons send projections to multiple brain regions, forming pathways that help the brain detect, evaluate, and pursue rewarding experiences. One major route is the mesolimbic pathway, which projects from the VTA to the ventral striatum,