Reward system
Reward system
The Reward system (pronounced: /rɪˈwɔːrd ˈsɪstəm/) is a group of neural structures responsible for incentive salience (i.e., motivation and "wanting", desire, or craving for a reward), associative learning (primarily positive reinforcement and classical conditioning), and positively-valenced emotions, particularly ones which involve pleasure as a core component (e.g., joy, euphoria and ecstasy).
Etymology
The term "reward system" is derived from the English words "reward" and "system". The word "reward" comes from the Middle English word "rewarden", which means "to regard, take heed of", and the word "system" comes from the Latin word "systema", which means "an organized whole".
Structure
The reward system includes the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and dopamine pathways, among other regions. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is the origin of the dopaminergic cell bodies of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system and is widely implicated in the drug and natural reward circuitry of the brain. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a significant part of the brain's reward circuitry and its operation is heavily dependent on dopamine, a neurotransmitter.
Function
The primary function of the reward system is to promote survival. The reward system drives organisms to repeat behaviors that have positive outcomes while avoiding behaviors that have negative outcomes. The reward system is also involved in the process of addiction, where the desire for a reward becomes so strong that it overrides the organism's sense of harm or risk.
Related terms
- Dopamine: A type of neurotransmitter. Your body makes it, and your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. It's often called the "feel-good" neurotransmitter because it plays a major role in reward-motivated behavior.
- Ventral tegmental area: A group of neurons located close to the midline on the floor of the midbrain which play a key role in the reward system.
- Nucleus accumbens: A region in the basal forebrain rostral to the preoptic area of the hypothalamus which is significant part of the brain's reward circuitry.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Reward system
- Wikipedia's article - Reward system
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