Ventral Tegmental Area

Question 1

Ventral Tegmental

Area is Located between _____ and _____ nucleus.

Answer 1

substantia nigra; red nucleus

Question 2

Ventral Tegmental
Area Synthesizes and releases
_____.

Answer 2

dopamine

Question 3

Where does Ventral tegmental area projects to?

Answer 3

Mainly Nucleus accumbens; Hippocampal formation Amygdala
Hypothalamus
Cortex

Question 4

Where does Ventral tegmental area receives input from?

Answer 4

Amygdala

Question 5

Where is dopamine released?

Answer 5

Striatum (Includes substantia nigra)

Question 6

Nucleus Accumbens is aka?

Answer 6

Ventral striatum

Question 7

Nucleus accumbens receives input from?

Answer 7

Ventral tegmental area

Question 8

What receptor does nucleus accumbens use?

Answer 8

D3

Question 9

What is the important function of Nucleus accumbens?

Answer 9

Involved in behavioral responses to stimuli perceived as rewards. (Reward circuit)

Question 10

Drugs of abuse activate which system?

Answer 10

Nucleus accumbens

Question 11

_____ enhance dopamine release from
presynaptic terminals; block reincorporation in DA into
synaptic vesicles

Answer 11

Amphetamines

Question 12

_____ potentiates the action of DA by binding to the

dopamine reuptake transporter blocking its reuptake

Answer 12

Cocaine

Question 13

Opiates (heroin) activate specific _____ receptors

located on interneurons

Answer 13

inhibitory

Question 14

_____ attaches to specific excitatory receptors on neuron
cell bodies in the VTA and induces elevated levels of
dopamine in the nucleus accumbens

Answer 14

Nicotine

Question 15

_____ activate specific excitatory receptors on DA

nerve endings

Answer 15

Cannabinoids