What Is Ventral Tegmental Area?
An Area of the Midbrain Lying Adjacent to the Substantia Nigra That Contains the Cell Bodies of Dopaminergic Neurons Projecting Especially to the Nucleus...
: an area of the midbrain lying adjacent to the substantia nigra that contains the cell bodies of dopaminergic neurons projecting especially to the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and olfactory tubercle as part of the mesolimbic system The critical circuit in the brain that underlies reward and reinforcement extends from ...
What does ventral tegmental area do in your brain?
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) are assumed to play a key role in dopamine-related functions such as reward-related behaviour, motivation, addiction and motor functioning.
Where is the ventral tegmental?
The ventral tegmental area, or VTA, is in the midbrain, situated adjacent to the substantia nigra. Although it contains several different types of neurons, it is primarily characterized by its dopaminergic neurons, which project from the VTA throughout the brain.