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Chapter 12 - Corticothalamic Pathways in the Somatosensory System

from Section 5: - Sensory Processing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2022

By
Alexander Groh  and
Rebecca Mease
Edited by
Michael M. Halassa
Michael M. Halassa
Affiliation:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Summary

The somatosensory thalamocortical system has proven a tractable model for dissecting how different neuronal populations sculpt bidirectional information exchange between the thalamus and the cortex. This chapter reviews corticothalamic (CT) pathways from layers 5 (L5) and 6 (L6) of the primary somatosensory (S1) cortex to first-order ventroposterior (VP) and higher-order posterior medial (POm) somatosensory thalamic nuclei. With a focus on insights gained from recent cell-type–specific approaches in rodent models, we contrast L5 and L6 CT pathways at the scales of network architecture, anatomical connectivity, and physiological characteristics. We further compare the distinct feedforward inhibitory circuits engaged by L6 and L5 CT pathways, which involve the thalamic reticular nucleus and extrathalamic inhibitory nuclei, respectively. Where data exist, we discuss short- and long-term synaptic dynamics of the specific CT circuits. We close with a discussion of the proposed functions of these distinct pathways in conveying “top-down” cortical signals for both the modulation of thalamic processing of sensory information and the transmission of information between cortical regions.

Keywords

layer 6layer 5pyramidal tractcorticothalamicgain controlthalamic firing modesshort-term plasticitysomatosensorywhiskerbarrel cortex
Type
Chapter
Information
The Thalamus , pp. 221 - 236
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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