[The thalamus: a dynamic door to perception].
y dependent on the activity of our senses for our relationship with the outside world, we may consider the thalamus to be a key part of perception. DEVELOPMENT. Far from behaving as a simple relay station, the thalamic circuits represent the framework on which to build a truly dynamic biological filter which can select the messages to reach the cortex according to their relevance and the behavioural state of the person. Such filtering implies the participation of many neurotransmitters which represent as many different systems. Outstanding amongst these are the groups formed by acetylcholine and nitric oxide axons arising from the brainstem, and corticofugal fibers which are sent back from the cortex to the thalamus. CONCLUSIONS. In this paper we review the functional aspects of the thalamic control of information, particularly of the visual system, with reference to alterations derived from its malfunction.
Cudeiro-Mazaira
F J
FJ
Grupo de Neurociencia y Control Motor (NEUROcom), Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, España.
Rivadulla-Fernández
J C
JC
D006801:Humans; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013788:Thalamus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D012701:Serotonin; D009638:Norepinephrine