The mesoaccumbens dopamine in coping with stress

► Fluctuations of tonic dopamine levels characterize the mesoaccumbens stress response. ► High tonic dopamine in accumbens supports active coping whereas low tonic DA is associated with passive coping. ► In novel stressful situations the balance between cortical dopamine and norepinephrine controls tonic dopamine in accumbens. ► Individual variability in coping styles is associated with opposite mesoaccumbens dopamine stress responses.