Thalamus

Is a nucleus-like structure in the brain. It is an important part of the central nervous system and plays a crucial role in processing and regulating sensory and motor information.

The thalamus acts as a relay for nerve signals from various parts of the body, including senses such as vision, hearing, touch and taste. It is also involved in regulating sleep, attention, consciousness and emotions.

The thalamus is closely linked to the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for thought, perception and cognition. Together, the thalamus and cerebral cortex work in tandem to enable perception, understanding and response to external stimuli.

There are several biomarkers that can be used to assess the function and state of the thalamus

1. Cortical thickness: studies have shown that changes in the cortical thickness of the thalamus may be associated with certain neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.

2. Functional connectivity: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be used to measure functional connectivity between the thalamus and other brain regions. Studies have shown that abnormalities in the functional connectivity of the thalamus may be associated with sleep disorders and depression.

3. Molecular biomarkers: certain molecular markers, such as beta-amyloid and tau proteins, may be associated with changes in the structure and function of the thalamus in Alzheimer's disease.