The role of the thalamus in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Explaining the diversity of symptoms that occur in schizophrenia is a major conceptual challenge. Perhaps the most powerful strategy is to identify a fundamental cognitive process and/or a fundamental neural circuit.


METHODS
Convergent data from our research group in Iowa and from investigators in other centres are summarized.


RESULTS
The thalamus plays a key role in information processing. A defect in circuitry connecting the thalamus, frontal cortex, and cerebellum could explain a wide range of symptoms. Neuropathology and imaging studies suggest that patients with schizophrenia may have abnormalities in this circuitry.


CONCLUSIONS
The fundamental deficit in schizophrenia may be conceptualized as a "cognitive dysmetria" characterized by impairments in coordinating the perception, encoding, retrieval, and prioritization of experience and information.
Andreasen
N C
NC
Mental Health Clinical Research Center, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242, USA.
D001931:Brain Mapping; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000503:physiopathology*