A to Z

ventral striatum

This image shows the anatomy to the VTA with the striatum, nucleus accumbens and substantia nigra labelled.

Featured Psychology

·July 21, 2015·3 min read

A New Target For Depression Treatment

Researchers have identified a potential new target to treat recurring depression.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 3, 2020·6 min read

A New View of How the Brain Decides to Make an Effort

The ventral striatum plays a key role in decision making, weighing the cost versus the benefit of making a physical effort.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 31, 2016·5 min read

Addiction Cravings May Get Their Start Deep in the Right Side of the Brain

A new neuroimaging study links alcohol cravings to the right ventral striatum.

Image of a brain scan with the striatum highlighted in red.

Featured Psychology

·October 30, 2015·3 min read

Adolescent Depression and Early Life Stress Linked to Impaired Reward Circuits

A new study reports early life stresses and depression in teens is linked impairments in the brain's reward circuits.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 1, 2018·4 min read

Anti-Convulsant Drug Reduces Major Depression Symptoms

Ezogabine, an FDA approved anti-convulsant, appears to significantly reduce symptoms in those with major depressive disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 17, 2017·5 min read

Brain Activity Buffers Against Worsening Anxiety

It may be possible to buffer against developing depression and anxiety by boosting brain activity in areas associated with problem solving, a new study reports.

The image shows a person using a computer mouse.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 11, 2014·5 min read

Brain Activity in Sex Addiction Mirrors That of Drug Addiction

A new neuroimaging study finds pornography triggers brain activity of sex addicts much the same way as drugs trigger the brains of drug addicts.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 29, 2021·4 min read

Brain Circuitry for Both Positive and Negative Valence Affected by Trauma

The severity of PTSD symptoms was associated with fewer risky choices and increased activation of the amygdala. Decreased activity in the ventral striatum, an area of the brain associated with processing positive valence such as reward, predicted more severe PTSD symptoms 14 months post trauma.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 7, 2018·3 min read

Brain Function Impacts How Experiences Contribute to Depression

A new study examines the relationship between brain function and the impact of life events on depressive symptoms.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Videos

·January 30, 2018·5 min read

Brain Pacemaker Shows Promise in Slowing Alzheimer’s Progression

Deep brain stimulation to the frontal lobe may help to improve cognitive, behavioral and functional difficulties in those with Alzheimer's disease, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 11, 2018·3 min read

Brains of People with Schizophrenia Are Less Reactive to Social Rewards Like Smiling Faces

A neuroimaging study conducted by researchers from UCLA reveals the brains of people with schizophrenia are less sensitive to social rewards than they are to non-social rewards.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 16, 2018·3 min read

Cannabis Abuse Alters Activity of Brain Regions Linked to Negative Emotion

Researchers report brain alterations associated with heightened feelings of negative emotion and alienation in people who have a dependence on cannabis.