(1) They note that there is evidence to suggest that a circuit involving the thalamus and frontal lobes functions abnormally in autism.(2) The sleep cycle is controlled by a complex system of neurones (messenger cells) in the brain stem, thalamus , hypothalamus, and basal forebrain.(3) However, after controlling for this overall increase in metabolism in the methamphetamine abusers, the investigators showed that metabolism was significantly reduced in two brain regions - the thalamus and striatum.(4) By contrast, reduced activation in the mesencephalic brainstem and the thalamus was noted to be exclusively associated with mental relaxation.(5) Peripheral injury results in anatomic and physiologic changes within the dorsal horn, sensory thalamus and cerebral cortex.(6) The authors conclude that thalamotomy and thalamic stimulation are effective treatments for patients with severe tremors.(7) Computed tomography of the brain demonstrated an area of low attenuation in the left thalamic region.(8) During sustained hypoxia, increased thalamic gating may decrease respiratory sensory projections to higher centers.(9) When we are asleep, thalamic neurons prevent penetration of sensory information upward to the cortex.(10) An extensive accumulation of axons connecting various thalamic nuclei to practically all cortical areas is seen in fan-like array and this, in three dimensions, reflects the profusion of the thalamic radiations.
