Exploring the Thalamus And Its Role in Cortical Function

by S. Murray Sherman, R. W. Guillery

The thalamus plays a critical role in perceptual processing, but many questions remain about what thalamic activities contribute to sensory and motor functions. In this book, two pioneers in research on the thalamus examine the close two-way relationships between thalamus and cerebral cortex and look at the distinctive functions of the links between the thalamus and the rest of the brain. Countering the dominant "corticocentric" approach to understanding the cerebral cortex—which does not recognize that all neocortical areas receive important inputs from the thalamus and send outputs to lower motor centers—S. Murray Sherman and R. W. Guillery argue for a reappraisal of the way we think about the cortex and its interactions with the rest of the brain.

The book defines some of the functional categories critical to understanding thalamic functions, including the distinctions between drivers (pathways that carry messages to the cortex) and modulators (which can change the pattern of transmission) and between first-order and higher-order thalamic relays—the former receiving ascending drivers and the latter receiving cortical drivers. This second edition further develops these distinctions with expanded emphasis throughout the book on the role of the thalamus in cortical function. An important new chapter suggests a structural basis for linking perception and action, supplying supporting evidence for a link often overlooked in current views of perceptual processing.

Genres: Neuroscience, Biology, Science

504 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Cormac Avila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful overview of the thalamus. The authors were probably the best people to write this book, as they are primarily responsible for the shift in thinking of the thalamus as a mere "relay center" (something to be gotten through to get to the "good stuff", i.e. cortex) to thinking of it as a sort of seventh-layer of the cortex - that is, as an integral part of cortical processing.

Chapters 2-5 contain most of the hard empirical evidence, while chapters 6-10 focus on the authors' interpretations of that evidence. In talking to one of the authors' former colleague, I received the impression that in attempting to formulate an all-encompassing theory of thalamocortical connections, the authors might have been a bit ambitious in their interpretations. So while I found the interpretations to be very helpful in providing a framework for understanding, they are best taken with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, the chapter on action and perception is exceptional, and to my mind exhibits the potential fruits to be gained from dialogue between neuroscience and modern philosophy.

Lastly, I think the book would have benefited from a glossary. In long discussions on technical debates it is easy to get lost in some of the more obscure terminology. And anyways, this feature would have been welcome given that the authors are formidable anatomists.

[Mobina golsefatan · Rating 3 out of 5]

درسته کتاب جدیدی نیست و شاید کمی حس کنید که در منطق نوشتارش آشفتگی داره اما واقعا دید خوبی درباره‌ی عملکرد تالاموس بهتون می‌ده و پیشنهاد می‌شه قبل از شروع مقالات این حوزه سراغش برید.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love the thalamus? This book was invaluable when writing the background section of my thesis, and is a great resource for all things thalamus. My one complaint is that it is really lacking when it comes to rodent thalamus, especially mouse.

[Murster Sherman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Left me wondering what the role of the thalamus is? Sleep induction?