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 niagara 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 region in the midbrain that is involved in motivation, reward, and feelings of pleasure. It projects to the limbic system, which includes structures involved in emotions, such as the amygdala and hippocampus. This pathway is known as the mesolimbic pathway and is thought to play a key role in addiction. In the case of alcohol addiction, the reward system in the brain is hijacked by the effects of alcohol, leading to a compulsive desire to continue drinking. Therefore, the pathway from the VTA to the limbic system is the likely circuit in Rex's brain that is affected by his addiction to alcohol.

Rex Has Developed an Addiction to Alcohol