mesocorticale

The mesocortical pathway is a dopaminergic neural projection that links the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain with regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). It is one of the major dopamine pathways, alongside mesolimbic, nigrostriatal, and tuberoinfundibular tracts. Neurons in the VTA project to several PFC areas, including the dorsolateral, ventromedial, orbitofrontal cortex, and the anterior cingulate cortex. Dopamine release in these targets modulates cognitive and executive functions, such as working memory, attention, planning, decision making, and emotion regulation, as well as motivational aspects of behavior.

Cognitive performance in the prefrontal cortex shows an inverted-U relationship with mesocortical dopamine signaling: both too little and too much dopaminergic activity can impair function. Receptor involvement in the PFC is predominantly through D1-like receptors, with D2 receptors playing a role in certain contexts. The pathway is influenced by glutamatergic inputs from cortical and limbic areas and by stress-related signals, which can alter dopamine release and receptor sensitivity.

Clinical relevance and research: dysregulation of mesocortical dopamine signaling is associated with cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia and with executive control aspects of other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions. Pharmacological modulation of this pathway remains an area of active investigation, with strategies aimed at optimizing prefrontal dopamine tone showing variable effects on cognition and mood.