pallidum
PAL-uh-dum
Definition
A specific anatomical structure in the brain, often referred to as the ventral pallidum, which contains small 'hedonic hotspots' associated with the experience of pleasure or 'liking.'
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'pallidus,' meaning pale. It was applied to this brain structure because the region contains a high density of myelinated fibers, which give the tissue a paler appearance in anatomical cross-sections.
In the news
The article uses the term to identify the precise, small location in the brain where pleasure reactions are generated, distinguishing this from the dopamine-driven systems that handle the effort of 'wanting.'
When scientists disrupted dopamine in hungry rats, the animals still showed pleasure when sweet food was placed in their mouths — they just lost the drive to work for it, suggesting dopamine governs wanting more than enjoyment
Read the full article ↗Space Daily