School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Jul;126:1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.047. Epub 2021 Mar 15.
The anterior thalamic nuclei are a vital node within hippocampal-diencephalic-cingulate circuits that support spatial learning and memory. Reflecting this interconnectivity, the overwhelming focus of research into the cognitive functions of the anterior thalamic nuclei has been spatial processing. However, there is increasing evidence that the functions of the anterior thalamic nuclei extend beyond the spatial realm. This work has highlighted how these nuclei are required for certain classes of temporal discrimination as well as their importance for processing other contextual information; revealing parallels with the non-spatial functions of the hippocampal formation. Yet further work has shown how the anterior thalamic nuclei may be important for other forms of non-spatial learning, including a critical role for these nuclei in attentional mechanisms. This evidence signals the need to reconsider the functions of the anterior thalamic within the framework of their wider connections with sites including the anterior cingulate cortex that subserve non-spatial functions.
前丘脑核是海马-脑桥-扣带回回路中的一个重要节点，支持空间学习和记忆。反映这种相互连接性，对前丘脑核认知功能的研究主要集中在空间处理上。然而，越来越多的证据表明，前丘脑核的功能超出了空间范围。这项工作强调了这些核在某些类别的时间辨别中的作用，以及它们对处理其他上下文信息的重要性；揭示了与海马结构的非空间功能的相似之处。然而，进一步的工作表明，前丘脑核可能对其他形式的非空间学习很重要，包括这些核在注意力机制中的关键作用。这些证据表明，需要在前丘脑核与包括前扣带回皮层在内的其他部位的更广泛连接的框架内重新考虑它们的功能，这些部位参与非空间功能。
