biostudies-literatureUnknown15Islam KUSMidbrain dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area are the main source of dopamine in the brain. They send out projections to a variety of forebrain structures, including dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex (PFC), establishing the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesoprefrontal pathways, respectively. The dopaminergic input to the PFC is essential for the performance of higher cognitive functions such as working memory, attention, planning, and decision making. The gradual maturation of these cognitive skills during postnatal development correlates with the maturation of PFC local circuits, which undergo a lengthy functional remodeling process during the neonatal and adolescence stage. During this period, the mesoprefrontal dopaFrontiers in neural circuits746582https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8546303biostudies-literatureThe Development of the Mesoprefrontal Dopaminergic System in Health and Disease.PMC8546303Meli NIslam KUSBlaess SfalseThe Development of the Mesoprefrontal Dopaminergic System in Health and Disease.Midbrain dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area are the main source of dopamine in the brain. They send out projections to a variety of forebrain structures, including dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex (PFC), establishing the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesoprefrontal pathways, respectively. The dopaminergic input to the PFC is essential for the performance of higher cognitive functions such as working memory, attention, planning, and decision making. The gradual maturation of these cognitive skills during postnatal development correlates with the maturation of PFC local circuits, which undergo a lengthy functional remodeling process during the neonatal and adolescence stage. During this period, the mesoprefrontal dopa2021-01-01T00:00:00Z20212025-06-01T00:54:55.753Z2025-06-01T00:54:55.753ZS-EPMC85463033471212310.3389/fncir.2021.746582