The accumbens nucleus, also known as the nucleus accumbens, is located in both hemispheres of the brain in the basal forebrain and is considered part of the basal ganglia
The nucleus accumbens is a major component of the brain's "reward circuit."
For this reason it constitutes a major factor in the development of drug dependency because the regions of the brain that are involved the feelings of pleasure and reward are the areas that are most affected by drugs.
Dopamine is associated with the reward circuit and the nucleus accumbens. The nucleus accumbens acts as a liaison between the limbic system (seat of the emotions) and the central grey nuclei that are useful in planning movements and for reasoning processes.