Figure 1

Schematic of the limbic corticostriatal loop (from a schematic by Cardinal, 2006 showing key structures involved in reward process and anhedonia and loss of motivation observed in MDD. DA: dopamine, Glut: glutamate, NA: noradrenalin, VTA: ventral tegmental area. The Nac seems to be at the centre of this circuitry: between the emotional system (amygdala, basal ganglia, insula, medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, VTA), the cognitive system (anterior cingulate cortex) and motor control system (hippocampus).