Lateral pulvinar nucleus

Lateral pulvinar nucleus is a component of the pulvinar, which is the largest nucleus of the thalamus. It is located in the posterior part of the thalamus and is involved in the regulation of visual attention and visual perception.

Anatomy

The lateral pulvinar nucleus is situated in the posterior part of the thalamus, adjacent to the medial pulvinar nucleus. It is divided into two main parts: the inferior and the superior lateral pulvinar nucleus. The inferior part is connected to the superior colliculus, while the superior part is connected to the parietal cortex.

Function

The lateral pulvinar nucleus plays a crucial role in the regulation of visual attention and visual perception. It receives input from the retina and the superior colliculus, and sends output to the parietal cortex. This allows it to integrate visual information and direct attention to relevant stimuli.

In addition to its role in vision, the lateral pulvinar nucleus is also thought to be involved in attentional control and multisensory integration. It has been implicated in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the lateral pulvinar nucleus have been associated with a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. For example, studies have found that individuals with schizophrenia have smaller lateral pulvinar nuclei than healthy individuals. Similarly, individuals with ADHD have been found to have abnormalities in the lateral pulvinar nucleus.

See also

• Pulvinar
• Thalamus
• Visual perception
• Visual attention