Novelty increases the mesolimbic functional connectivity of the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) during reward anticipation: Evidence from high-resolution fMRI

► High-resolution fMRI delineates responses to novelty and reward in the human SN/VTA. ► Novelty increases reward-anticipation responses in the caudal medial SN/VTA. ► This novelty-related augmentation increases mesolimbic functional connectivity. ► The study highlights the midbrain's integrative role in human behavior and memory.