Thalamocortical Network Structure
Thalamocortical networks consist of neurons in both the thalamus and cortex. The thalamic neurons are typically one of three types: thalamocortical, with axons extending into the cortex, reticular, and thalamic interneurons. Thalamocortical neurons (TC) vary significantly in size, which is correlated with the depth to which they project into the cortex. These cells are limited in their outputs and seem to only connect to the cortical layers and reticular thalamic neurons. Reticular neurons (RE), on the other hand, are highly interconnected and have their own intrinsic oscillatory properties. These neurons are capable of inhibiting thalamocortical activity via their direct connections to TCs. Corticothalamic neurons are the cortical neurons that TC neurons synapse on. These cells are glutaminergic excitatory cells that exhibit increasing activity as they become more depolarized. This activity is described as "bursting", firing in the gamma range at rates between 20 and 50 Hz.
Read more about this topic: Recurrent Thalamo-cortical Resonance
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