title: Adaptive Pulvinar Circuitry Supports Visual Cognition.
abstract: The pulvinar is the largest thalamic nucleus in primates and one of the most mysterious. Endeavors to understand its role in vision have focused on its abundant connections with the visual cortex. While its connectivity mapping in the cortex displays a broad topographic organization, its projections are also marked by considerable convergence and divergence. As a result, the pulvinar is often regarded as a central forebrain hub. Moreover, new evidence suggests that its comparatively modest input from structures such as the retina and superior colliculus may critically shape the functional organization of the visual cortex, particularly during early development. Here we review recent studies that cast fresh light on how the many convergent pathways through the pulvinar contribute to visual cognition.
authors.affiliation: FMRIB Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bridge
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Leopold
authors.affiliation: Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. Electronic address: James.Bourne@monash.edu.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bourne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D020649:Pulvinar / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: human; primate; superior colliculus; thalamus; vision; visual cortex