Research conducted by the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Stony Brook University has revealed a potentially expanded role for the thalamus in brain function. Traditionally viewed as a relay station, the thalamus may be instrumental in abstract thinking and executive control, according to findings published in Neuron.
The study utilized electrophysiology and computer modeling to examine the electrical properties of thalamic cells and tissues in primates. This approach demonstrated that higher-order thalamic nuclei can select behavioral rules and dynamically influence activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for cognitive flexibility.
“This discovery offers a breakthrough in understanding how higher-level brain functions work and could lead to new treatments for conditions like schizophrenia, ADHD, and brain injury using targeted brain stimulation,” said Sima Mofakham, PhD, Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University.
Mofakham highlighted that these findings suggest a new role for the thalamus in shaping cortical dynamics within the prefrontal cortex. Traditionally, it was believed that the cortex alone managed abstract thinking and cognitive control. This research challenges that notion.
A team led by Dr. Jessica Phillips and Dr. Yuri Saalmann from the University of Wisconsin – Madison performed MRI-guided electrophysiological recordings during various tasks completed by primates. Meanwhile, Sima Mofakham, Charlies Mikell, and Xi Cheng at Stony Brook Medicine executed computational modeling critical to validating these results.
Dr. Mofakham emphasized that further research is necessary to fully comprehend the implications of electrophysiological activity related to prefrontal cortex functioning.
The study also suggests potential applications for brain-computer interfaces and AI systems capable of real-time adaptive decisions. Thalamic signals might enhance these technologies' ability to interpret intention and context or aid deep brain stimulation efforts targeting pathological cases.
This research received support from National Institutes of Health grants R01MH110311, R01NS117901, and P51OD011106.
For more information on neuroscience research at RSOM related to consciousness, visit the Mofakham Mikell Laboratory website.