Cognitive and Perceptual Functions of the Visual Thalamus

Yuri B. Saalmann, Sabine Kastner

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

326 Scopus citations

Abstract

The thalamus is classically viewed as passively relaying information to the cortex. However, there is growing evidence that the thalamus actively regulates information transmission to the cortex and between cortical areas using a variety of mechanisms, including the modulation of response magnitude, firing mode, and synchrony of neurons according to behavioral demands. We discuss how the visual thalamus contributes to attention, awareness, and visually guided actions, to present a general role for the thalamus in perception and cognition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-223
Number of pages15
JournalNeuron
Volume71
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 28 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Neuroscience

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