Neurophysiology and special senses: reward pathway: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Neurophysiology and special senses: reward pathway

Sample item

Addictive drugs increase dopamine release in which part of the reward circuit, and from which neurons does it arise?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Nucleus accumbens, from ventral tegmental area neurons

The mesolimbic pathway runs from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens and is central to reward and reinforcement. Drugs of abuse increase dopamine here.

Option by option

  • A. Nucleus accumbens, from ventral tegmental area neurons (correct)

    Correct. The mesolimbic pathway carries dopamine from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens.

  • B. Caudate nucleus, from substantia nigra neurons

    Nigral input to the caudate is the nigrostriatal pathway, concerned with movement.

  • C. Median eminence, from arcuate neurons

    The tuberoinfundibular pathway from the arcuate nucleus controls prolactin.

  • D. Hippocampus, from locus coeruleus neurons

    The locus coeruleus uses noradrenaline and does not mediate this reward pathway.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Nucleus accumbens, from ventral tegmental area neurons. The mesolimbic pathway runs from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens and is central to reward and reinforcement.

Why is "Caudate nucleus, from substantia nigra neurons" not the answer?

Nigral input to the caudate is the nigrostriatal pathway, concerned with movement.

Why is "Median eminence, from arcuate neurons" not the answer?

The tuberoinfundibular pathway from the arcuate nucleus controls prolactin.

Why is "Hippocampus, from locus coeruleus neurons" not the answer?

The locus coeruleus uses noradrenaline and does not mediate this reward pathway.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurophysiology and special senses: reward pathway in Physiology. Drugs of abuse increase dopamine here.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurophysiology and special senses: reward pathway?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.