S. Murray Sherman – författare

The thalamus is a group of cells placed centrally in the brain that serve a critical role in controlling how both sensory and motor signals are passed from one part of the cerebral cortex to another. Essentially, all information reaching the cerebral cortex and thus consciousness is relayed through the thalamus. The role of the thalamus in controlling the flow of information (such as visual, auditory, and motor) to the cortex has only recently begun to be understood. This book provides an in-depth look at the function of the thalamus and its role as relayer of information to the cerebral cortex. The authors explore how the thalamus controls messages that are passed to the cortex and they introduce the novel suggestion that the thalamus serves a critical role in controlling how messages pass from one part of the cortex to another. Exploring the Thalamus is a comprehensive, up-to-date reference for researchers. It discusses problems concerning the function and structure of the thalamus and concludes each chapter with thought-provoking questions regarding future research.- Focuses on thalamocortical interrelationships- Discusses important problems concerning the function and structure of the thalamus- Concludes each chapter with thought-provoking questions requiring future research

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Sensory Systems provides a comprehensive scholarly account of the diverse means that organisms use to interact with their environments, as well as the biological adaptations that shape these systems across species.More than 100 leading scholars were commissioned to write brand new articles for these volumes, contributing to a collective effort that presents both foundational and emerging topics in the field of sensory neuroscience. Organized into topical sections, across 61 long-form articles, the Encyclopedia examines the somotaosensory, vestibular, olfactory, and gustatory systems of vertebrates and invertebrates alike. Each peer-reviewed article provides a thorough summary of the subject at hand and deepens understanding by discussing the history of perspectives on the topic, the current state of the field, and future directions for research.As a work, the Encyclopedia serves as a valuable contribution and testament to the variety of scholarship within sensory neuroscience. Researchers, students, and professionals alike will turn to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Sensory Systems as a standard reference in the field.

Every cortical area receives input from the thalamus and projects to the thalamus. The cortex and thalamus, therefore, are inseparable partners for sensation, action, and cognition. Exploring Thalamocortical Interactions provides readers with foundational knowledge needed to understand the cellular and circuit properties of thalamocortical networks, and then goes on to consider new ideas and hypotheses, some of which are quite speculative. Some of the major themes emphasized throughout the book include: · the need for a proper classification of thalamocortical and corticothalamic circuits· the role of spike timing for thalamocortical and corticothalamic communication and the mechanisms for modulating spike timing· the organization and function of corticothalamic feedback projections· the role of higher order thalamic nuclei in cortico-cortical communication and cortical functioning· attentional modulation of thalamocortical interactions· a rethinking of efference copies and distinguishing neural signals as sensory versus motorExploring Thalamocortical Interactions combines foundational knowledge from decades of research with fresh ideas and hypotheses on how the thalamus and cortex work together for sensation, action, and cognition.

Every cortical area receives input from the thalamus and projects to the thalamus. The cortex and thalamus, therefore, are inseparable partners for sensation, action, and cognition. Exploring Thalamocortical Interactions provides readers with foundational knowledge needed to understand the cellular and circuit properties of thalamocortical networks, and then goes on to consider new ideas and hypotheses, some of which are quite speculative.Some of the major themes emphasized throughout the book include:· the need for a proper classification of thalamocortical and corticothalamic circuits· the role of spike timing for thalamocortical and corticothalamic communication and the mechanisms for modulating spike timing· the organization and function of corticothalamic feedback projections· the role of higher order thalamic nuclei in cortico-cortical communication and cortical functioning· attentional modulation of thalamocortical interactions· a rethinking of efference copies and distinguishing neural signals as sensory versus motorExploring Thalamocortical Interactions combines foundational knowledge from decades of research with fresh ideas and hypotheses on how the thalamus and cortex work together for sensation, action, and cognition.

Every cortical area receives input from the thalamus and projects to the thalamus. The cortex and thalamus, therefore, are inseparable partners for sensation, action, and cognition. Exploring Thalamocortical Interactions provides readers with foundational knowledge needed to understand the cellular and circuit properties of thalamocortical networks, and then goes on to consider new ideas and hypotheses, some of which are quite speculative.Some of the major themes emphasized throughout the book include:· the need for a proper classification of thalamocortical and corticothalamic circuits· the role of spike timing for thalamocortical and corticothalamic communication and the mechanisms for modulating spike timing· the organization and function of corticothalamic feedback projections· the role of higher order thalamic nuclei in cortico-cortical communication and cortical functioning· attentional modulation of thalamocortical interactions· a rethinking of efference copies and distinguishing neural signals as sensory versus motorExploring Thalamocortical Interactions combines foundational knowledge from decades of research with fresh ideas and hypotheses on how the thalamus and cortex work together for sensation, action, and cognition.

For the first time, Drs. Usrey and Sherman, along with a who's who of luminaries in neuroscience research, seek to codify the roles that the cortex and thalamus and their interdependence on each other play for sensation, action, and cognition. The thalamus, in addition, has often been treated as a minor, rather insignificant player in cortical functioning. In the not too distant past, the thalamus was considered a rather boring, machine-like relay of subcortical information to the cortex. Over the past decade, there has been a groundswell of new and renewed interest in the thalamus and thalamocortical interactions, leading to discoveries demonstrating the thalamus's ongoing and essential role in cortical functioning and, likewise, the significance of the cortex for thalamic functioning.The Cerebral Cortex and Thalamus is a groundbreaking volume bringing together a cohesive account of cortical and thalamic mechanisms for control of behavior with an emphasis on the importance of interactions between the two structures. The book elucidates the research that makes it increasingly clear that the cortex and thalamus are necessary partners for sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. Interactions between thalamus and cortex are not only essential for proper brain function, they are also sensitive to a range of diseases that can have devastating consequences on individuals and society. An essential text for graduate students, early career investigators, and investigators looking to shift their research focus, The Cerebral Cortex and Thalamus is organized into topical sections covering circuit properties of thalamus and cortex, thalamocortical and corticothalamic motifs, sensory systems, motor systems, interareal cortical communication, cognitive properties, development and plasticity, evolution, computation, and disease.

For the first time, Drs. Usrey and Sherman, along with a who''s who of luminaries in neuroscience research, seek to codify the roles that the cortex and thalamus and their interdependence on each other play for sensation, action, and cognition. The thalamus, in addition, has often been treated as a minor, rather insignificant player in cortical functioning. In the not too distant past, the thalamus was considered a rather boring, machine-like relay of subcortical information to the cortex. Over the past decade, there has been a groundswell of new and renewed interest in the thalamus and thalamocortical interactions, leading to discoveries demonstrating the thalamus''s ongoing and essential role in cortical functioning and, likewise, the significance of the cortex for thalamic functioning.The Cerebral Cortex and Thalamus is a groundbreaking volume bringing together a cohesive account of cortical and thalamic mechanisms for control of behavior with an emphasis on the importance of interactions between the two structures. The book elucidates the research that makes it increasingly clear that the cortex and thalamus are necessary partners for sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. Interactions between thalamus and cortex are not only essential for proper brain function, they are also sensitive to a range of diseases that can have devastating consequences on individuals and society. An essential text for graduate students, early career investigators, and investigators looking to shift their research focus, The Cerebral Cortex and Thalamus is organized into topical sections covering circuit properties of thalamus and cortex, thalamocortical and corticothalamic motifs, sensory systems, motor systems, interareal cortical communication, cognitive properties, development and plasticity, evolution, computation, and disease.

For the first time, Drs. Usrey and Sherman, along with a who''s who of luminaries in neuroscience research, seek to codify the roles that the cortex and thalamus and their interdependence on each other play for sensation, action, and cognition. The thalamus, in addition, has often been treated as a minor, rather insignificant player in cortical functioning. In the not too distant past, the thalamus was considered a rather boring, machine-like relay of subcortical information to the cortex. Over the past decade, there has been a groundswell of new and renewed interest in the thalamus and thalamocortical interactions, leading to discoveries demonstrating the thalamus''s ongoing and essential role in cortical functioning and, likewise, the significance of the cortex for thalamic functioning.The Cerebral Cortex and Thalamus is a groundbreaking volume bringing together a cohesive account of cortical and thalamic mechanisms for control of behavior with an emphasis on the importance of interactions between the two structures. The book elucidates the research that makes it increasingly clear that the cortex and thalamus are necessary partners for sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. Interactions between thalamus and cortex are not only essential for proper brain function, they are also sensitive to a range of diseases that can have devastating consequences on individuals and society. An essential text for graduate students, early career investigators, and investigators looking to shift their research focus, The Cerebral Cortex and Thalamus is organized into topical sections covering circuit properties of thalamus and cortex, thalamocortical and corticothalamic motifs, sensory systems, motor systems, interareal cortical communication, cognitive properties, development and plasticity, evolution, computation, and disease.

Further Explorations of Thalamocortical Interactions provides a comprehensive and forward-looking account of how the thalamus and cerebral cortex function as tightly interconnected partners in sensory, motor, and cognitive processing. Long viewed primarily as a passive relay, the thalamus is now recognized as an active, dynamic contributor to cortical computations. This volume places that paradigm shift at the heart of its approach.Drawing on decades of influential research, Usrey and Sherman detail the rich architecture of feedforward and feedback circuits linking thalamus and cortex, demonstrating how these pathways enable flexible, time-varying information processing essential for normal brain function. Integrating evidence from neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and behavioural neuroscience, the authors challenge traditional models and highlight the thalamus's ongoing, indispensable role in shaping cortical activity.Fully revised and updated, the second edition incorporates major advances in circuit mapping, imaging, and computational neuroscience. Clear, authoritative, and richly illustrated, it is an essential resource for neuroscientists, clinicians, and students seeking to understand the functional logic of thalamocortical systems and their relevance to both healthy and disordered brains.

Almost all of the messages that are received by the cerebral cortex from the environment or from the body's internal receptors come through the thalamus and much current thought about perceptual processing is based on sensory pathways that relay in the thalamus. This volume focuses on three major areas: the role of thalamocortical communication in cognition and attention; the role of the thalamus in communication between cortical areas; the hypothesis that much or all of the information relayed by thalamus, even to classical, pure "sensory" areas of cortex, represents a corollary message being sent simultaneously to motor centers. It presents a broad overview of important recent advances in these areas.* Provides a look at brain structures involved in perception and action * Includes summaries by leading investigators in the field* Presents recent advances in our understanding of brain functions