Mesolimbic system

The mesolimbic system of humans is called a positive reward center. It is part of the central nervous system. It is located in the cerebrum of the human organism.

What is the Mesolimbic System?

The mesolimbic system is also called the Area tegmentalis ventralis designated. It is composed of the nucleus accumbens and parts of the limbic system. For this reason it is also known as the mesolimbic system. As part of the central nervous system, it belongs to the cerebrum of the human organism.

The mesolimbic system is referred to as the reward system or positive reward center. It is responsible for diseases such as addiction, but also for stimulus-reward conditioning. As soon as it is activated, the person develops an increased desire. The hormone dopamine is closely involved in this. Therefore, the mesolimbic system is also known as the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. All processes related to the neurotransmitter dopamine find their origin or their involvement here. From a neuroscientific point of view, positive experiences release so-called happiness hormones in the mesolimbic system.

These lead to the fact that the person feels joy and feels satisfied. Triggering stimuli can be falling in love, successes, but also substances that cause dependence. The positive feelings help in learning and have an important social function. In addition, arousing feelings are important in the process of reproduction.

Anatomy & structure

The mesolimbic system consists of the nucleus accumbens and parts of the limbic system. It is part of the corpus striatum and is located in the basal ganglia. It contains dopamine receptors that respond to the transmitter dopamine.

Dopamine is a hormone from the group of catecholamines and has an exciting effect. The cell bodies have their terminal heads in the nucleus accumbens. In addition, they pull into parts of the limbic system. These include in particular the amygdala and the hippocampus. The amygdala is known as the amygdala or the amygdala. They are found in pairs in the human brain. The amygdala consists of several individual nuclei. One of them is located in the temporal cortex.

The majority are near the parahippocampal gyrus. Their cortical parts are assigned to the paleocortex. The hippocampus is located in the temporal lobe on both sides. Its rostral end piece, i.e. the area that extends to the face of the human being, has a paw-like structure. The hippocampus consists of three layers. It is assigned to the archicortex and consists of the dentate gyrus, the Ammon's horn and the subiculum.

Function & tasks

The mesolimbic system has the task of controlling learning, behavior and success processes in humans. The mesolimbic system is significantly involved in conditioning processes. The best way to learn is through a reward. Overall, this approach is more promising. A positive reward is perceived by people as more effective and long-lasting than a punishment or negative reinforcement.

A reinforcer perceived as positive improves learning and behavior. In this way, socially desirable behavior can be conveyed. This is an important factor in human education. In addition, a reward can be helpful in achieving greater knowledge. The mesolimbic system is involved in the creation of positive emotions.

In the amygdala, in addition to emotions such as fear and anxiety, positive emotions are also formed. These include joy, happiness, hope or confidence. Emotions that are related to the feeling of pleasure have an elementary meaning. They are related to human reproduction and sex life as drive gratification. The sense of achievement is regulated in the mesolimbic system. Motivation or well-being are among the functions that are initiated by the mesolimbic system. Over the life span, humans use the mesolimbic system in a more targeted manner.

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Diseases

Dopaminergic systems are of great importance in schizophrenic diseases. Overactivity of the dopamine transmitter can be found in some forms of schizophrenia.

It is not causally the cause of schizophrenia, but an involvement can be proven. Drugs that reduce the activity of dopamine relieve symptoms. However, if the dose is too high, there is a risk of developing drug-induced Parkinson's syndrome.

An addiction can have many triggers. They are individual and can range from drugs like heroin or cocaine to gambling or alcohol. The healing of an addiction disorder usually takes place for life. It is accompanied by symptoms such as cravings and severe physical discomfort. Depending on the addiction and the substance of the dependency, most people will not make it without professional and social support from the environment. In addition to the often necessary detoxification regimen, the focus is on cognitive therapy. Through them, the patient learns the transition from healthy need satisfaction to addiction. This forms the basis so that the substance that triggers the addiction is not replaced by another.

When taking medication, care is taken to ensure that opiate receptors are inhibited. In addition, instrumental conditioning is used as therapy. Behavioral therapies are designed to raise awareness and help you break bad habits. Implicit processes must be interrupted. The patient learns how to avoid situations and confrontations with the substance that triggers their addiction. Keeping your distance is an important learning process. In addition, an alternative behavior is learned and a reinforcement is presented in it.