A dopamine-rich brain region associated with reward processing appears to play an important role in maintaining romantic relationships, according to new neuroimaging research. The study, published in Psychological Science, found evidence that the nucleus accumbens differently encodes representations of romantic partners and nonpartners. Researchers Ryuhei Ueda and Nobuhito Abe wanted to use brain imaging techniques to better understand how emotional bonding is established and maintained in romantic relationships. “I have been interested in the mystery of close interpersonal relationships since…
