A thalamic bridge from sensory perception to cognition

The ability to adapt dynamic environments requires tracking multiple signals with variable sensory salience and fluctuating behavioral relevance. This complex process integrative crosstalk between cognitive brain circuits. Functional interactions cortical thalamic regions are now considered essential for both perception cognition but a clear account of the functional link circuits is currently lacking. review aims document how nuclei may effectively act as bridge allowing fuse perceptual events into meaningful experiences. After highlighting key aspects thalamocortical such classic first-order/higher-order dichotomy, we consider role reticular nucleus from directed attention cognition. We next summarize research relying on Pavlovian learning paradigms, showing that first-order higher-order contribute associative learning. Finally, propose modulator inputs reaching all be critical purposes when environmental computed. Altogether, thalamus appears linking perception, possibly affect.