The thalamus is the gateway to neocortex. Its main function is conveying sensations (all senses except olfaction), motor-related signals (basal ganglia and cerebellum), and signals from subcortical limbic structures (hypothalamus, amygdala) to the cerebral cortex, along with control of cortical arousal and alertness (and sleep). All thalamo-cortical projections are reciprocated, thereby allowing the cortex to exert control over its thalamic inputs, including indirect inhibitory control via the Thalamic Reticular nucleus (TRN).
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