These neurons provide widespread innervation of the forebrain and some innervation of lower structures. The nucleus basalis of Meynert and the septal region are rich in cell bodies of projection neurons containing acetylcholine. Try to find these areas in coronal brain sections. These are three major DA systems in the mammalian brain. The Nigrostriatal DA System .
Terminals appear in the caudate, putamen and globus pallidus .
The MFB also seems to be important for reward. The Mesocorticolimbic DA system. The ventral tegmental area is a nucleus that lies behind the hypothalamus medial to the red nucleus and the substantia nigra. Their projection sites are separate, however, and include regions of the limbic system such as the nucleusaccumbens, olfactory tubercle, amygdala, cingulate cortex, and frontalcortex . The nucleus accumbens is also important for the rewarding effects of a variety of reinforcers, including drugs of abuse.