Thalamus modulates consciousness via layer-specific control of cortex
Neuron January 22, 2020 Michelle J. Redinbaugh, Jessica M. Phillips, Niranjan A. Kambi et al.
Neurons in the thalamus and deep cortical layers are most sensitive to changes in consciousness level, consistent across different anesthetic agents and sleep. Deep layer activity is sustained by interactions with the central lateral thalamus. Consciousness also depends on deep layer neurons providing feedback to superficial layers, suggesting long-range feedback and intracolumnar signaling are important. Stimulating the central lateral thalamus in anesthetized macaques effectively restored arousal and wake-like neural processing in a location- and frequency-specific manner. These findings suggest layer-specific thalamocortical correlates of consciousness and inform how targeted deep brain stimulation can alleviate disorders of consciousness.