mesolimbic

adjective

me·so·lim·bic -ˈlim-bik

: of, relating to, or being the more central portion of the limbic system of the brain that arises mainly in the ventral tegmental area, consists especially of dopaminergic neurons, and innervates the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and olfactory tubercle

Bupropion, an atypical antidepressant that increases dopamine levels in mesolimbic pathways in the central nervous system that are also activated by other drugs of dependence, increases smoking cessation rates independent of its antidepressant effect.—

Nancy A. Rigotti, The Journal of the American Medical Association

Subsequent experiments showed that the bullied, fearful mice had an altered mesolimbic dopamine system, the brain pathway best known for reinforcing addictive behavior through the release of dopamine.—

Constance Holden, Science