A study led by ISGlobal found an association between higher temperatures early in life and slower growth of the thalamus, a brain region involved in processing information. The researchers suggest that heat exposure during the earliest stages of life may have lasting effects on brain development.
SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2026
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A study found that sleep deprivation leads to increased markers of brain cell connections, including synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A), in areas such as the hippocampus. This suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in restoring cellular balance and may be important for maintaining neural health.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2026
A case report warns that heavy energy drink consumption may pose a serious stroke risk due to high caffeine and sugar content. The study highlights the potential cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks and proposes increased regulation of sales and advertising campaigns to protect public health.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·TypeCase study·DateDec 9, 2025
A new study demonstrates that long-term memory is formed by a cascade of molecular timers unfolding across brain regions. Key regulators promote memories into progressively more lasting forms or demote them until they are forgotten.
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Researchers have discovered that the thalamus can update its own connections independently of the cortex, a finding relevant to children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This breakthrough suggests that modulating neurotransmitters in the thalamus could alter sensory processing and improve cognitive function.
SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNeuron·DateApr 7, 2025
Researchers have discovered that the developing brain can reorganize its sensory maps in response to the absence of sensory stimuli from birth. The study found that the thalamic region adapts a genetic profile similar to that of the affected area, enabling cortical reorganization and functional changes.
SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2025
Researchers discovered distinct neuronal populations in the ACC process pain and itch information separately, with stimulus-specific neurons receiving differentiated synaptic inputs from the mediodorsal thalamus. Suppressing these neurons reduced corresponding sensations without affecting the other.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2025
Researchers at ISTA identify a brain region in mice that predicts and minimizes visual distortion during movement, allowing for sharper mental images. The 'ventral lateral geniculate nucleus' (vLGN) integrates motor and sensory signals to compute a comprehensive corrective signal, enabling more efficient visual processing.
SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025
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Studies using a rodent model found sustained increase in neural activity in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) after exposure to a strongly stressful event. This persistent activity is linked to altered behavior, including restlessness and disturbed sleep patterns. The findings suggest a new therapeutic target for stress-related issues.
SourceInstitute of Experimental Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeNews article·DateJan 24, 2025
A recent SFU study reveals how indirect brain damage affects thalamus function after a stroke, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers found that the amount of damage to the thalamus correlates with the level of impairment in patients.
SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2024
A Baycrest study reveals that degeneration of the thalamus, a brain area distinct from stroke lesions, contributes to post-stroke symptoms. Innovative non-invasive treatments targeting this area may improve or reverse these life-altering consequences.
SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2024
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals how propofol sedation alters the connections between brain cells in the thalamus and cortex, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying consciousness. The researchers found that disruptions to the matrix cells' activity play a crucial role in the transition to unconsciousness.
SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2024
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Researchers have found a new brain mechanism that detects prediction errors between expected and actual sensory inputs, boosting responses to unexpected information. This discovery could offer insights into the neural circuits underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs).
SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2024
A study in Current Biology mapped a brain circuit responsible for detecting threats and forming fear memories. The hippocampus and subiculum are key structures involved, with the subiculum transferring information to the hypothalamus.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 22, 2024
A new study by researchers at MIT and MGH found that even low stimulation currents could sometimes still cause electrographic seizures in awake mice, with a rate of 2.2 percent of tests experiencing seizures. The study cautions against the use of brain stimulation-based therapies without proper monitoring.
SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalBrain Stimulation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024
Researchers characterize thalamic and cortical neurons responding to ocular surface stimulation, showing diverse multimodal response profiles. The study provides insights into how sensory stimulus information is integrated from the peripheral nervous system into the brain's cortical networks.
SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalPhysiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 25, 2024
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This study reveals that thalamocortical connectivity plays a vital role in the formation of functional brain networks. The researchers used advanced neuroimaging techniques and computational models to map changes in thalamocortical connectivity across different age groups, from infancy to adulthood.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2024
A new study found that postmenopausal women exhibit smaller cortical surface areas in certain brain regions, reduced thalamic subnuclei volumes, and decreased functional connectivity, suggesting a link between menopause-related symptoms and brain changes.
SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateApr 1, 2024
The study reveals that two neural pathways in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus participate in dynamic regulation of goal pursuits, with PVT+ neurons encoding execution and termination of actions, respectively. Activity in these neurons mirrors motivation parameters such as vigor and satiety.
SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2024
Researchers found that ON pathways are more sensitive in humans but less effective at low light, contributing to myopia progression. Pupil reflexes driven by ON pathways also become weaker, limiting outdoor protection.
SourceState University of New York College of Optometry·JournalJNeurosci·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 28, 2023
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Researchers found that the thalamus is involved in the adaptation of the adult visual system, with plasticity taking place in both the thalamus and cortex. This discovery has implications for understanding learning disabilities and therapies, suggesting a different approach may be needed to treat conditions like lazy eye.
SourceNetherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW·JournaleLife·DateOct 6, 2023
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have conducted a study on rats, showing that small doses of psilocybin can increase resilience to stress and reduce compulsive behaviors. The study lends support to the benefits of microdosing as a therapeutic intervention.
SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateOct 3, 2023
Scientists at Van Andel Institute have discovered processes that enable the brain to adapt to damage in movement, cognition, and sensory perception circuits. This finding may help optimize current treatments or develop new ones that repair or bypass broken circuits.
SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023
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Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A study at University of Turku found that reduced central thalamic nuclei activity is related to anesthesia-induced disconnectedness for propofol, dexmedetomidine, and sevoflurane. In contrast, S-ketamine was associated with increased left parietal cortex activity during disconnection.
A study published in Brain found that disconnecting nerve pathways in the brain can lead to improved seizure freedom in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy. The research, involving 47 patients, revealed that cutting these connections resulted in 88% of patients being seizure-free after three years.
SourceUniversity College London·JournalBrain·TypeObservational study·DateApr 16, 2023
A new computational model of the thalamic microcircuit in mouse brains offers detailed insights into its role in brain function and dysfunction, particularly in relation to sensory processing and spindles. The model replicates network-level experimental findings across different brain states, shedding light on inhibitory rebound and th...
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 30, 2023
Researchers used virtual reality to study how memories are selected for long-term storage, revealing the anterior thalamus as a crucial stopover site. Stimulating this region enhanced memory consolidation, while inhibiting it hindered long-term retention.
A new study identifies the anterior thalamus as a key brain region linking short-term to long-term memory. The thalamus plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, stabilizing memories from the hippocampus into long-term storage in the cortex.
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Researchers mapped every thalamic synapse on 15 neurons in layer 2/3 of the visual cortex in mice and found that despite being weak and sparse, they are reliable and efficient representatives of information. The diversity of thalamic inputs underlies these advantages, allowing a small population of neurons to assemble the overall picture.
SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023
Researchers identified structural changes in the thalamus and strengthened connections with the temporal cortex, enabling visual cortex activation through non-visual stimuli.
SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateJan 20, 2023
A new study reveals a novel cortico-thalamic connection that targets the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), which plays a crucial role in regulating inhibitory activity in the brain. The discovery provides insights into the neuronal basis of normal cognition and chronic neurological diseases linked to frontal cortex.
SourceInstitute of Experimental Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023
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Researchers discovered that ketamine increases background noise, impairing the function of thalamo-cortical neurons and affecting sensory perception. This finding may contribute to a better understanding of psychosis in schizophrenia.
SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateDec 30, 2022
A study by University of Bonn elucidates a key mechanism in the brain where neurons fine-tune their sensitivity to incoming signals. Special nerve cells called interneurons play an essential role, sending inhibitory action potentials to reduce sensitivity.
SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2022
Recent studies have shed light on the biological mechanisms that connect sleep and anxiety, highlighting the importance of sleep in regulating stress responses. Research has shown that inadequate sleep can lead to increased anxiety and stress, while also exacerbating mental distress.
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Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University identified a novel neural pathway in the brain that processes touch information, which plays a crucial role in social behavior. The thalamo-hypothalamic neural pathway uses PTH2 as a neurotransmitter and facilitates friendly social interactions between rats.
SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 19, 2022
The study reveals that top-down information from the higher-order motor cortex to the primary motor cortex is crucial for motor learning, while newly formed synapses in the thalamus store acquired motor memories. This challenge to the widely held view suggests a two-step process for motor skill learning.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have discovered a specialized neural circuit in zebrafish that enables recognition of conspecifics. This pathway, which runs from the retina to the thalamus, triggers shoaling behavior and regulates social approach and affiliation.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJul 14, 2022
Researchers found brain ripples in all areas of the human cortex, synchronizing distant elements of memory upon recollection. The ripples involve brief, high-frequency oscillations that promote neural interactions and potentially support interaction between distant locations.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 8, 2022
Astrocytes in the thalamus play a key role in susceptibility to seizures after brain injuries. Targeting a specific protein, GAT3, in these cells may prevent long-term damage.
SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 6, 2022
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Researchers have identified three distinct brain circuits in the thalamus that contribute to Parkinson's disease symptoms, including motor dysfunction and depression. By manipulating these circuits, they were able to reverse Parkinson's symptoms in mice, suggesting potential new therapeutic targets.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2022
A Columbia University study found that altered thalamic activity in adolescence can lead to long-lasting cortical abnormalities, which may contribute to cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. Boosting thalamic function during adolescence could potentially treat these symptoms.
SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateMay 20, 2022
Researchers identified a key brain circuit in the anterior thalamus that helps us hold information in mind. In a study of mice, enhancing this circuit's activity improved their ability to navigate a maze and reversed memory loss with artificial stimulation.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2022
Researchers found that viewing nostalgic images from childhood reduced pain perception in adults, with the strongest effect on low-intensity pain. Nostalgic images decreased activity in brain regions involved in pain perception, including the left lingual gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus.
SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2022
A new study found that white matter structural tracts are relatively stable throughout typical development, but show increased instability in children with psychosis spectrum symptoms. The integrity of these tracts was lower in children with psychosis and associated with cognitive function.
SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 22, 2021
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Researchers have found that stimulating the anterior thalamus can increase memory-related brain activity and restore memory function in rats with MTT lesions. The study suggests that therapies targeting this region could help recover memory in patients with brain injury, challenging previous notions of memory recovery.
SourceElsevier·JournalCurrent Research in Neurobiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 23, 2021
Researchers at TU Dresden developed a new imaging-based method to investigate the visual sensory thalamus, a key structure in brain function and disease. The technique uses high spatial resolution MRI data to detect distinct compartments within the thalamus, which are characterized by varying amounts of white matter.
SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNeuroImage·TypeObservational study·DateOct 8, 2021
A new study published in Science identifies a specific molecule, C1q, that plays a key role in the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury. The researchers found that an antibody treatment could prevent the development of negative outcomes such as sleep disruption and inflammation.
SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience·DateSep 9, 2021
Researchers found similar circuit malfunctions in the thalamus of mice with genes mutated for autism and schizophrenia. This discovery could lead to developing drugs targeting this circuit to treat people with different disorders.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateJun 30, 2021
Neurons in the mouse visual thalamus establish strong functional connections only with one retina, not with both, resolving contradictory results from previous studies. The dominant eye is determined by a clear selection of input, and non-dominant eye signals are weak or inactive.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNeuron·DateJun 18, 2021
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Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Human Development discovered that the brain rapidly shifts from a rhythmic to a 'noisy' state when task demands increase. This shift enables flexible information processing, allowing individuals to adapt to changing environments and make better decisions.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 29, 2021
A recent study from MIT's Picower Institute reveals that anesthesia, specifically propofol, dramatically changes and controls the dynamics of brain rhythms. This alteration affects the coordination between the thalamus and cortical regions, leading to a slower pace of neural activity.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a signaling molecule called neuropeptide-Y (NPY) as the key driver of hunger-dependent odor attraction. Mice with NPY deficiency showed reduced preference for food odors, highlighting the crucial role of NPY in enhancing food attraction when hungry.
A team of scientists has identified a region of the thalamus as a key source of top-down information, which is essential for processing sensory signals in the context of past experiences. This discovery sheds light on how the brain encodes and retrieves memories, particularly in cases of brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience·DateNov 16, 2020
A study found that premature infants who experienced fewer needle pokes had better thalamus growth, a structure involved in pain perception. Infants with longer use of central lines had larger thalamus volumes and improved cognitive and motor skills at age five.
SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateOct 21, 2020
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A new study in mice identifies a critical gene for short-term memory that functions in the thalamus, not traditionally associated with memory. Disabling this gene enhances working memory in low-performing mice.
Researchers found that working memory is not confined to one brain area but requires synchronous activity of at least two regions. Gpr12 receptors in the thalamus are essential for establishing synchrony between the prefrontal cortex and other brain areas, leading to improved working memory performance.
Scientists at OIST have identified a new area of the brain involved in cost-benefit decision-making, revealing complex connections between regions. The ventromedial thalamus sends signals to neurons in the prefrontal cortex, influencing decision-making processes.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalBrain Structure and Function·DateSep 18, 2020
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Researchers identified a specific brain circuit vulnerable to juvenile social isolation in mice, which may lead to treatments for sociability deficits and psychiatric disorders. Stimulation of this circuit restored normal social behavior in adult mice with juvenile isolation.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 31, 2020
Research identifies two functionally distinct sub-circuits in the sensory thalamus that process distinct classes of information. These circuits enable powerful new optogenetic and chemogenetic strategies to probe behavioral and perceptual functions, potentially shedding light on conscious awareness and epilepsy.
SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2020
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified over 40 genes expressed in the vLGN and discovered six new neuron subtypes, each with unique molecules and clustered in tightly packed striped layers. The study provides a more precise tool kit to understand the function of the vLGN and its downstream connections.
SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Neurochemistry·DateJun 24, 2020