Mesencephalic origin of the zebrafish thalamocortical-like visual projection neurons indicates independent evolution of tectofugal visual pathways in amniotes and teleosts.

Local cortical sleep features arise subcortically due to heterogeneous burst discharge in neurons of a sleep rhythm pacemaker previously thought to act uniformly.

Central thalamus relay neurons dynamically switch the activity of cortical and subcortical networks at distinct frequencies, providing a mechanism for this region's role in arousal regulation.

Secondary thalamic nuclei may provide stronger, longer-lasting input to superficial layers of primary sensory cortex than other cortical areas can.

The first comprehensive map of all excitatory inputs to the mouse striatum is presented and used to define and demarcate striatal subdivisions, including a previous unappreciated novel subdivision in the posterior striatum.

Compared to a sensory thalamocortical circuit, the mediodorsal thalamus preferentially innervates prefrontal cortical interneurons, and enhancing excitability of this thalamic structure drives prefrontal activity patterns that are dominated by inhibition.

Sensory stimulation produces stochastic population responses in the cortex that are governed by layer 6 cortico-reticular projections that modulate thalamic synchrony.

The higher order thalamus encodes and influences correct action during learning and performance in a sensory-based goal-directed behavior.

Accumulation of perineuronal nets around parvalbumin (PV)-positive inhibitory interneurons closes visual cortical plasticity by selectively down-regulating thalamic synapses onto PV cells in a sensory-dependent manner.

The somatosensory cortex doesn't integrate mixed bilateral inputs, as partially uncrossing projections from the whiskers duplicates their representation by segregating lateralized inputs from each side of the head.