The intralaminar and midline nuclei of the thalamus. Anatomical and functional evidence for participation in processes of arousal and awareness

摘要: The thalamic midline and intralaminar nuclei, long thought to be a non-specific arousing system in the brain, have been shown involved separate specific brain functions, such as cognitive, sensory motor functions. Fundamental participation of nuclei diverse functions seems role awareness. It is unknown whether together often referred 'non-specific' thalamus, act or each nucleus idiosyncratically circuits underlying cortical processes. Detailed knowledge connectivity these needed judge nature their contribution functioning. present account provides an overview results neuroanatomical tracing studies on connections individual rat, that performed over past decade our laboratory. are discussed with those reported by other laboratories, obtained species. On basis patterns afferent efferent projections, we conclude can clustered into four groups. Each groups its own set target input structures, both cortically subcortically. These anatomical relationships, combination functional animals humans, lead us propose whole play awareness, subserving different aspect following discerned: (1) dorsal group, consisting paraventricular, parataenial intermediodorsal viscero-limbic functions; (2) lateral comprising central paracentral anterior part medial nucleus, cognitive (3) ventral made up reuniens rhomboid posterior multimodal processing; (4) centre median parafascicular limbic