Involvement of Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons in Sexual Behaviors: Implications for the Neurobiology of Motivation

Abstract

Mesencephalic dopamine-containing neurons that innervate limbic regions, notably nucleus accumbens, are thought to be involved in the control of a variety of species-typical behaviors such as male copulatory behavior, feeding and drinking as well as of behaviors reinforced by many drugs abused by humans. While it is generally agreed that these neurons are an important link in the brain circuitry that mediates these behaviors, their precise function remains a source of conjecture. The present article reviews evidence implicating the mesoaccumbens dopamine projection in sexual behaviors and discusses some of the issues that have contributed to the uncertainty over the exact role of this system in these and other species typical behaviors. This review also describes approaches we have been using in an attempt to address these issues and summarizes recent findings we believe provide important insights into mesoaccumbens dopamine function and the neurobiology of motivation.