Dopamine & the Reward System Flashcards
What neurotransmitter is most associated with reward and pleasure?
Dopamine
What structure in the midbrain is primarily responsible for dopamine production?
Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
What pathway connects the VTA to the nucleus accumbens and is involved in pleasure?
Mesolimbic pathway
Where is dopamine released to produce the sensation of ‘liking’?
Nucleus accumbens (ventral striatum)
What does increased dopamine release into the prefrontal cortex help with?
Learning via prediction error, decision-making, and self-control
What term describes the brain’s mechanism of adjusting expectations based on outcomes?
Prediction error mechanism
What happens to VTA neuron firing when an outcome is better than expected?
Action potential rate increases
What happens to dopamine neuron firing when an expected reward doesn’t happen?
Action potential rate decreases
What kind of learning happens when prediction matches outcome?
No learning occurs; dopamine AP rate stays at baseline (~5 AP/sec)
What behavior in rats showed they preferred electrical brain stimulation?
Repeated bar-pressing in a Skinner box to self-stimulate
Which neurotransmitter is responsible for the place preference shown in stimulated rats?
Dopamine
What structure was likely accidentally stimulated in the rat that showed intense curiosity?
LAMBDA (mistaken for RAS)
What is ‘thigmotaxis’ in rats?
Wall-hugging behavior when exploring a new environment
What was the result of stimulating the rat’s ‘pleasure center’?
Rat returned to the same location, showing place preference and increased self-stimulation
