Question

Nicotine reinforcement is due to the release of ________ within the ________?

1) glutamate - VTA
2) norepinephrine - nucleus accumbens
3) dopamine - nucleus accumbens
4) GABA - hypothalamus
5) acetylcholine - lateral hypothalamus

Answer 1

Nicotine reinforcement is due to the release of dopamine within the nucleus accumbens.

Step-by-step explanation:

The release of dopamine within the nucleus accumbens is responsible for nicotine reinforcement.

When nicotine binds to specific receptors on the presynaptic neuron, it excites the neuron to fire more action potentials, leading to an increased release of dopamine.

The mesolimbic pathway, which includes the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN), plays a major role in the release of dopamine and is strongly implicated in reward-based learning and addictive behaviors.