MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Thalamus: The thalamus is the relay center of the brain. It receives afferent impulses from sensory receptors located throughout the body and processes the information for distribution to the appropriate cortical area. It is also responsible for regulating consciousness and sleep.

Detailed explanation-2: -Both FO and HO thalamic nuclei largely contribute to sensory processing. The TRN plays a critical role in directed attention and cognition. Both FO and HO thalamic nuclei largely contribute to Pavlovian conditioning. The thalamus acts as a bridge between sensory perception, cognition and possibly emotion.

Detailed explanation-3: -The cells that provide noradrenergic afferents to the brain are located in the locus coeruleus (LC) and in the brainstem reticular formation. The thalamus receives its noradrenergic input mostly from cells in the LC – many of which also contain galanin (Simpson et al., 1997).

Detailed explanation-4: -In general, conscious perception of sensory stimuli requires the involvement of neurons in the thalamus and cerebral cortex.