The human mesolimbic system is called the 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 known as the area tegmentalis ventralis. 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 called the reward system or positive reward center. It is responsible for conditions such as addiction, as well as stimulus-reward conditioning. Once it is activated, the person develops an increased desire. The hormone dopamine is intensely involved in this. Therefore, the mesolimbic system is also called the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. All processes associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine find their origin or involvement here. From a neuroscientific point of view, positive experiences release so-called happiness hormones in the mesolimbic system. These cause people to feel joy and to feel satisfied. Triggering stimuli can be infatuation, success, but also substances that cause addiction. Positive feelings help learning and have an important social function. In addition, arousing feelings are important in the process of reproduction.
Anatomy and structure
The mesolimbic system consists of the nucleus accumbens and parts of the limbic system. It is included in the corpus striatum and is located in the basal ganglia. It contains dopamine receptors that respond to the transmitter dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone of the catecholamine group and has an excitatory effect. The cell bodies have their terminal head in the nucleus accumbens. In addition, they move into parts of the limbic system. In particular, these include the amygdala and the hippocampus. The amygdala is called the amygdala nucleus or corpus amygdaloideum. It is located 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 located near the parahippocampal gyrus. Its cortical portions are assigned to the paleocortex. The hippocampus is located bilaterally in the temporal lobe. Its rostral terminal, the area extending to the human face has a paw-like structure. The hippocampus consists of three layers. It is assigned to the archicortex and consists of the dentate gyrus, the ammonic horn, and the subiculum.
Function and tasks
The mesolimbic system is responsible for controlling human learning, behavior, and success processes. The mesolimbic system is significantly involved in conditioning processes. Humans learn best through reward. This approach is more promising overall. A positive reward is perceived by humans as more effective and long-lasting than punishment or negative reinforcement. A reinforcer perceived as positive thus improves learning and behavior. Socially desirable behaviors can be taught in this way. This is an important factor in human education. Furthermore, in the goal for greater knowledge acquisition, a reward can be helpful. The mesolimbic system is involved in the generation of the positive emotions. In the amygdala, in addition to emotions such as fear and anxiety, the positive emotions are also formed. These include joy, happiness, hope or confidence. Emotions related to pleasure have an elementary meaning. They are related to human reproduction and sexual life as drive satisfaction. The experience of success is regulated in the mesolimbic system. Motivation or well-being are among the functions initiated by the mesolimbic system. Over the lifespan, humans use the mesolimbic system more selectively.
Diseases
Dopaminergic systems have a major role in schizophrenic disorders. In some forms of schizophrenia, overactivity of the transmitter dopamine is found. It is not causally the cause of schizophrenia, but involvement can be demonstrated. Drugs that cause a reduction in the activity of dopamine lead to a relief of symptoms.However, if the dose is too high, there is a risk of developing drug-induced Parkinson’s disease. An addictive disorder can have many triggers. They are individual and can range from drugs such as heroin or cocaine to gambling or alcohol. Recovery from an addictive disorder is usually lifelong. It is accompanied by symptoms such as intense cravings and severe physical discomfort. Depending on the addiction and the substance of dependence, most people do not make it without professional as well as social support from their environment. In addition to a detoxification cure, which is often necessary, the focus is on cognitive therapy. Through it, the patient learns the transition from a healthy need satisfaction and to the addiction. This forms the basis so that the substance that triggers the addiction is not replaced by another. When medications are administered, care is taken to inhibit opiate receptors. In addition, instrumental conditioning is used as a therapy. Behavioral therapies are designed to raise awareness and help 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 a distance is an important learning process. In addition, an alternative behavior is learned and reinforcement is presented in it.
