Sensory Function of the Pulvinar

Cross-correlation analysis of the EEG between the lateral pulvinar and various cortical regions was made after EEG was recorded during stereotactic pulvinectomy. Cross-correlation analysis of the α-waves between the lateral pulvinar and the scalp EEG showed that the lateral pulvinar has the highest degree of functional connection with the pre-central area, diminishing in degree with the parietal and frontal areas, and has poor functional connections with the occipital area. From these results, it might be concluded that the lateral pulvinar may be related to motor function by functional connections with the pre-central area rather than the parietal area.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Lateral Pulvinar and Scalp EEG in Man

Fujita¹,

Fujita²,

Matsumoto³

1979

“…It has been reported in the literature that the pulvinar plays a role in the process of pain appreciation [5,6] and motor function in spasticity and involuntary movement disorders [2,3]. However, little is known about how the pulvinar contributes to these different functions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Evoked Potentials on Stimulation of the Human Pulvinar

Fujita¹,

Fujita²,

Shirakata³

et al. 1976

The distribution of the evoked cortical potentials recorded during stereotactic pulvinectomy is analyzed. The evoked cortical potential shows maximal amplitude in the precentral area, with decreasing amplitude in the parietal and anterior temporal area, and minimal amplitude in the occipital area. The pulvinar has been histologically considered to have dense connections with the parietal lobe and no connection with the frontal lobe. However, our results suggest that the pulvinar has a dense functional connection with the frontal cortex, through which the pulvinar plays a role in motor function.

“…A review of the literature reveals no consistent anatomicophysiological data about the role of the CM-PF complex in the mediation of pain [1-4, 11, 15, 16, 21]. Furthermore, a somatosensory function for the pulvinar has not been described until our recent report [20]. Indeed, the only studies on the pulvinar had been those dealing with its cortical connections [6],…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An Extralemniscal Projection to the Centrum medianum and Pulvinar of the Thalamus

Zorub¹,

Richardson²

1973

Electrophysiologic studies in cats were undertaken to determine the possible pathways for somatosensory transmission to the centrum medianum and pulvinar nuclei of the thalamus. The effects of discrete lesions in the various thalamic nuclei, mesencephalic reticular formation and spinal cord on the evoked potentials of the centrum medianum and pulvinar were recorded. It was noted that the centrum medianum and pulvinar had a dual activation from both dorsal and ventrolateral columns of the cord. The ventrolateral column component was mediated by the bulbar reticular formation and is believed to transmit nociceptive stimuli. The findings were correlated with known information about the mediation of acute and chronic pain and are consistent with the concept of a paleospinothalamic system for pain transmission.