The Mesolimbic Dopamine System: From Motivation to Action

The Mesolimbic Dopamine System: From Motivation to Action Edited by P. Willner Psychology Department, City of London Polytechnic, London, UK and J. Scheel-Krüger Psychopharmacological Research Laboratory, St Hans Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark The mesolimbic dopamine system is a system of neurons innervating the ventral forebrain, which utilizes dopamine as its principal neurotransmitter. In recent years this system has become one of the most heavily researched pathways within the brain, particularly in relation to its potential involvement in major psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, mania, depression and drug dependence. This volume provides a unique and timely multidisciplinary synthesis of our current knowledge of the anatomy, pharmacology, physiology and behavioural functions of the mesolimbic system, and its operation in health and mental disorder.