Mesocortical Pathway & its Implications in Psychiatry

Last week, we discussed the Mesolimbic pathway & its role in positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Today we will review another pathway which is known to be implicated in cognition, emotions, and behaviors: the mesocortical pathway. Its implications, particularly in conditions like schizophrenia, are mandatory knowledge for psychiatric practitioners.

Anatomy: The Backbone of the Pathway The mesocortical pathway, much like its counterpart the mesolimbic pathway, originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, while the mesolimbic pathway