Which of the following describes the limbic system?

The limbic system is integral to emotional regulation, memory formation, and the experience of pleasure and reward. It comprises structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens, each of which plays a key role in processing emotions and reinforcing behaviors that lead to pleasurable outcomes.

When discussing pleasure and reward, neural circuits within the limbic system release neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, which is heavily involved in feelings of enjoyment and reinforcing behaviors that are vital for survival, such as eating and reproduction. This connection highlights why the limbic system is closely associated with motivational aspects of behavior and emotional responses.

The other options reflect aspects related to other parts of the brain. Voluntary muscle movement is primarily controlled by the motor cortex and basal ganglia, rather than the limbic system. The communication between brain hemispheres is facilitated by structures such as the corpus callosum, and while nerve fibers connecting different regions are found throughout the brain, this description is too broad and does not specifically describe the functions of the limbic system.