A thalamic bridge from sensory perception to cognition. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wolff, M.; Morceau, S.; Folkard, R.; Martin-Cortecero, J.; Groh, A.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 120(2021)
• Page Start: 222
• Page End: 235
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Thalamus -- Attention -- Pavlovian conditioning -- Thalamic reticular nucleus -- Driver -- Modulator; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Both FO and HO thalamic nuclei largely contribute to sensory processing. The TRN plays a critical role in directed attention and cognition. Both FO and HO thalamic nuclei largely contribute to Pavlovian conditioning. The thalamus acts as a bridge between sensory perception, cognition and possibly emotion. Abstract: The ability to adapt to dynamic environments requires tracking multiple signals with variable sensory salience and fluctuating behavioral relevance. This complex process requires integrative crosstalk between sensory and cognitive brain circuits. Functional interactions between cortical and thalamic regions are now considered essential for both sensory perception and cognition but a clear account of the functional link between sensory and cognitive circuits is currently lacking. This review aims to document how thalamic nuclei may effectively act as a bridge allowing to fuse perceptual and cognitive events into meaningful experiences. After highlighting key aspects of thalamocortical circuits such as the classic first-order/higher-order dichotomy, we consider the role of the thalamic reticular nucleus from directed attention to cognition. We next summarize research relying on Pavlovian learning paradigms, showing that both first-order and higher-order thalamic nuclei contribute to associative learning. Finally, we propose that modulator inputs reaching all thalamic nuclei may be critical for integrative purposes when environmental signals are computed. Altogether, the thalamus appears as the bridge linking perception, cognition and possibly affect.