DA plays a critical role in motivation (e.g., vigor, persistence, effort, behavioral activation) through its regulation of several target regions including the NAc, ACC, orbitofrontal cortex, dorsolateral PFC, amygdala, dorsal striatum, and ventral pallidum. Specifically, DA is implicated in the motivation costs required to complete tasks that demand high levels of effort (64). Mesolimbic DA signaling may energize goal seeking and influence cost-benefit evaluation in behavioral decisions (65).
