midbrain ribonucleic acid level ventral tegmental area ribonucleic acid level 2026-04-10T12:09:13Z CMO:0004142 This is any measurement of the absolute or relative amount(s) of one or more of the ribonucleic acids (RNAs) found in the ventral tegmental area, the unpaired midbrain region situated in the ventromedial portion of the reticular formation. The VTA is medial to the substantia nigra and ventral to the red nucleus, and extends caudally from the posterior hypothalamus in the diencephalon. The VTA contains dopamine neurons that project to various limbic and cortical areas and is a critical component of the brain's reward circuitry. VT:0011290 VTA RNA level VTA ribonucleic acid level caripark clinical_measurement_ontology ventral tegmental area RNA level