Figure 2.

The thalamo-prefrontal cortical network. Transversal section 14 mm anterior to the posterior commissura. The thalamus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are connected through partly independent pathways. Dotted lines represent widespread projections. Notice the triangular connections involving the medial temporal lobe, the midline thalamus and the orbitofrontal, and ventromedial cortex. The mediodorsal nucleus (MD) is involved in multiple pathways, also including the reticular nucleus (R), which receives projections from the PFC and the amygdala as well as reciprocal connections to the MD (both subunits). The MDmc, which is represented in the same color as the midline nuclei because they present functional commonalities, is not connected to the hippocampus, but it receives amygdalar projections and is reciprocally connected to the orbitofrontal and ventromedial PFC. The intralaminar nuclei (only the centrolateral nucleus (CL) is represented in this section) are part of the thalamo-striato-frontal network (striato-frontal connections are not represented). Modified from Morel (2007). Abbreviations: Amg, amygdala; AV, anteroventral nucleus; Cd, caudate nucleus; Cl, claustrum; eml, external medullary lamina; ft, fasciculus thalamicus; ic, internal capsula; iml, internal medullary lamina; GPe, globus pallidum, pars externa; GPi, globus pallidum, pars interna; Hip, hippocampus; MDpc, parvocellular MD; mc, magnocellular MD; mtt, mammillothalamic tract; ot, olfactory tubercle; PuT, putamen; Pv, paraventricular nucleus; SNr, substantia nigra, pars reticulate; St, striatum; STh, subthalamic nucleus; VApc, ventral anterior nucleus, parvocellular portion; VLpd, ventrolateral nucleus, posterior dorsal subunit; VLpl, posterior lateral subunit; VM, ventromedial nucleus; ZI, zona incerta.