The efferent projections of the nucleus accumbens in the rat

The efferent projections of the nucleus accumbens have been examined in the rat. This has been achieved by mapping the distribution of degenerating axons and terminals following the placement of small electrolytic lesions within the accumbens. Quantitatively, the majority of accumbens efferent fibres appear to terminate in the diencephalon, while there are also projections to cortical and brain stem structures. The evidence suggests that the nucleus accumbens sends efferent fibres to the cingulum, lateral hypothalamus, globus pallidus, thalamus (including the reuniens, gelatinosus, parataenial, medial and anteromedial nuclei) and the substantia nigra.