2-Minute Neuroscience: Nucleus Accumbens

[1:58]

In this video, the nucleus accumbens is discussed. The nucleus accumbens is located in the basal forebrain, and is the major component of the ventral striatum. Although it is best known as a key structure in the reward system, the role of the nucleus accumbens in reward is still not fully understood. This is due in part to the fact that the nucleus accumbens also seems to be activated in response to aversive stimuli, and thus some have suggested that it is involved in responses to all motivationally-relevant stimuli—whether positive or negative.

[Video and text source: Neuroscientifically Challenged You Tube channel]