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Cited by 504Neural dynamics and brain functionVisual perception and processing mechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Viewpoint: the core and matrix of thalamic organization

Jones, E.G·1998·Neuroscience
DOI 10.1016/s0306-4522(97)00581-2
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Abstract

The integration of the whole cerebral cortex and thalamus during forebrain activities that underlie different states of consciousness, requires pathways for the dispersion of thalamic activity across many cortical areas. Past theories have relied on the intralaminar nuclei as the sources of diffuse thalamocortical projections that could facilitate spread of activity across the cortex. A case is made for the presence of a matrix of superficially-projecting cells, not confined to the intralaminar nuclei but extending throughout the whole thalamus. These cells are distinguished by immunoreactivity for the calcium-binding protein, D28K calbindin, are found in all thalamic nuclei of primates and have increased numbers in some nuclei. They project to superficial layers of the cerebral cortex over relatively wide areas, unconstrained by architectonic boundaries. They generally receive subcortical inputs that lack the topographic order and physiological precision of the principal sensory pathways. Superimposed upon the matrix in certain nuclei only, is a core of cells distinguished by immunoreactivity for another calcium-binding protein, parvalbumin, These project in highly ordered fashion to middle layers of the cortex in an area-specific manner. They are innervated by subcortical inputs that are topographically precise and have readily identifiable physiological properties. The parvalbumin cells form the basis for sensory and other inputs that are to be used as a basis for perception. The calbindin cells, especially when recruited by corticothalamic connections, can form a basis for the engagement of multiple cortical areas and thalamic nuclei that is essential for the binding of multiple aspects of sensory experience into a single framework of consciousness.

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  • Matrix cells are distributed widely over the nuclei of the dorsal thalamus and send thalamocortical axons that terminate principally in the superficial layers of the cortex.

    “Matrix cells are distributed widely over the nuclei of the dorsal thalamus and send thalamocortical axons that terminate principally in the superficial layers of the cortex [36,37].”

    From Cerebral hierarchies: predictive processing, precision and the pulvinar (2015) · cites this paper as [37]

  • The specific observations from our data are mostly consistent (with a few additions) with extensive previous studies in rats and fewer studies in mice as well as with studies in other mammalian species.

    “The specific observations from our data are mostly consistent (with a few additions) with extensive previous studies in rats and the fewer number of studies in mice (Extended Data Fig. 10) as well as with studies in other mammalian species37–39, providing a comprehensive and unifying view of mouse cortico-thalamic connections for the first time.”

    From A mesoscale connectome of the mouse brain (2014) · cites this paper as [38]

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Authors
Jones, E. G.
Affiliations
University of California, Irvine (US)
Corresponding author
Jones, E.G
ORCID
Jones, E.G
Venue
Neuroscience
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1998-04
Volume
85
Issue
2
Pages
331-345
ISSN
0306-4522 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0306-4522(97)00581-2
OpenAlex
W2054508155
Cited by
504
References
73
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 14
FWCI
1.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ns022317-08)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS-22317, NS21377, R01NS021377)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
thalamus, thalamocortical connections, intralaminar nuclei, calbindin, parvalbumin, calcium-binding proteins, cortical layers, corticothalamic connections, consciousness, primates
MeSH terms
Animals, Cerebral Cortex, Humans, Neural Pathways, Neurons, Thalamus

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