Cited by 114Neural dynamics and brain functionNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurological disorders and treatments

Functional organization of the thalamic input to the thalamic reticular nucleus

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Lam, Ying-Wan, Sherman, S. Murray·2011·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Most axons connecting the thalamus and cortex in both directions pass through the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), a thin layer of GABAergic cells adjacent to the thalamus, and innervate neurons there. The TRN, therefore, is in a strategic location to regulate thalamocortical communication. We recorded neurons of the somatosensory region of the TRN in a thalamocortical slice preparation and studied the spatial organization of their thalamic input using laser scanning photostimulation. We show that the thalamoreticular pathway is organized topographically for most neurons. The somatosensory region of the TRN can be organized into three tiers. From the inner (thalamoreticular) border to the outer, in a manner roughly reciprocal to the reticulothalamic pathway, each of these tiers receives its input from one of the somatosensory relays of the thalamus--the posterior medial, ventroposterior medial, and ventroposterior lateral nuclei. What is surprising is that approximately a quarter of the recorded neurons received input from multiple thalamic regions usually located in different nuclei. These neurons distribute evenly throughout the thickness of the TRN. Our results, therefore, suggest that there exist a subpopulation of TRN neurons that receive convergent inputs from multiple thalamic sources and engage in more complex patterns of inhibition of relay cells. We propose these neurons enable the TRN to act as an externally driven "searchlight" that integrates cortical and subcortical inputs and then inhibits or disinhibits specific thalamic relay cells, so that appropriate information can get through the thalamus to the cortex.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.3073-10.2011

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Authors
Lam, Y.-W., & Sherman, S. M.
Affiliations
University of Chicago (US)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2011-05-04
Volume
31
Issue
18
Pages
6791-6799
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2090407505
Cited by
114
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 4
FWCI
2.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Eye Institute (EY 03038, R01EY003038)
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R01DC008794, DC-008794)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R03NS058468, NS-058468)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Neurological disorders and treatments
Keywords
thalamic reticular nucleus, topographic organization, somatosensory thalamus, GABAergic neurons, disinhibition, thalamic relay cells
MeSH terms
Animals, Axons, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Neural Pathways, Neurons, Thalamic Nuclei, Thalamus, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Mice

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