The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is located close to the midline on the floor of the midbrain. VTA neurons project densely and largely ipsilaterally to the ven-tromedial striatum, primarily the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and shell. The neuronal circuit between VTA and NAc is involved in the acquisition and expression of learned appetitive behavior and in drug addiction. Approximately 60% of VTA neurons are dopaminergic and abnormal dopaminergic signaling in the NAc is thought to be a critical component in several neuropsychiatric disorders.
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