PAYING ATTENTION TO THE THALAMIC RETICULAR NUCLEUS

The thalamic reticular nucleus can be divided into a number of sectors , each concerned with a different function (sight, touch, hearing, mov ement 'limbic' functions), Each sector is connected to more than one t halamic nucleus and to more than one cortical area, and each sector ha s topographically mapped connections with the thalamus and the cortex, We consider the known details of these connections and show: (1) that they are not the same for each sector; (2) that the reticular nucleus serves as a nexus, where several functionally related cortical areas and thalamic nuclei can interact, modifying thalamocortical transmissi on through the inhibitory connections that go from the reticular tells to thalamic relay cells; and (3) that we need much more detailed info rmation about these highly organized connections before we can underst and exactly how the thalamic reticular nucleus might be influencing th alamocortical pathways in attentional mechanisms or in other, as yet u ndefined, roles.