The anterior thalamus: memory and attention

How do brain circuits support different but complementary aspects of event memory? The answer lies in distributed networks across the medial temporal lobe, prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex. Via their widespread connectivity, nuclei within the rostral thalamus support these memory networks. Indeed, one group (the anterior thalamic nuclei) forms the backbone of the ‘extended hippocampal system’, thought to be vital for episodic memory. We know remarkably little, however, about the nature of anterior thalamic information and how it impacts upon memory. In order to study this brain region The Wellcome Trust have funded a collaborative Senior Investigator Award (‘The cognitive thalamus: more than a relay’). This award, which concerns the functions of these sites in the rodent brain, provides the background for the research to be conducted during the studentship.

For further information please email John Aggleton: [Email Address Removed]