Functional connectivity between the thalamus and visual cortex under eyes closed and eyes open conditions: A resting‐state fMRI study
Open Access
- 26 January 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Human Brain Mapping
- Vol. 30 (9), 3066-3078
- https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.20728
Abstract
The thalamus and visual cortex are two key components associated with the alpha power of electroencephalography. However, their functional relationship remains to be elucidated. Here, we employ resting‐state functional MRI to investigate the temporal correlations of spontaneous fluctuations between the thalamus [the whole thalamus and its three largest nuclei (bilateral mediodorsal, ventrolateral and pulvinar nuclei)] and visual cortex under both eyes open and eyes closed conditions. The whole thalamus show negative correlations with the visual cortex and positive correlations with its contralateral counterpart in eyes closed condition, but which are significantly decreased in eyes open condition, consistent with previous findings of electroencephalography desynchronization during eyes open resting state. Furthermore, we find that bilateral thalamic mediodorsal nuclei and bilateral ventrolateral nuclei have remarkably similar connectivity maps, and resemble to those of the whole thalamus, suggesting their crucial contributions to the thalamus‐visual correlations. The bilateral pulvinar nuclei are found to show distinct functional connectivity patterns, compatible with previous findings of the asymmetry of anatomical and functional organization in the nuclei. Our data provides evidence for the associations of intrinsic spontaneous neuronal activity between the thalamus and visual cortex under different resting conditions, which might have implications on the understanding of the generation and modulation of the alpha rhythm. Hum Brain Mapp 2009.Keywords
This publication has 99 references indexed in Scilit:
- Reversing the sequence: Reducing alcohol consumption by overcoming alcohol attentional biasDrug and Alcohol Dependence, 2009
- Distinct Cortical Anatomy Linked to Subregions of the Medial Temporal Lobe Revealed by Intrinsic Functional ConnectivityJournal of Neurophysiology, 2008
- EEG default mode network in the human brain: Spectral regional field powersNeuroImage, 2008
- Cingulate-Precuneus Interactions: A New Locus of Dysfunction in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity DisorderBiological Psychiatry, 2007
- Electrophysiological signatures of resting state networks in the human brainProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2007
- The relationship within and between the extrinsic and intrinsic systems indicated by resting state correlational patterns of sensory corticesNeuroImage, 2007
- Low Medial and Lateral Right Pulvinar Volumes in Schizophrenia: A Postmortem StudyAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 2003
- AFNI: Software for Analysis and Visualization of Functional Magnetic Resonance NeuroimagesComputers and Biomedical Research, 1996
- The clinical activity of oxazepamActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1978
- Über das Elektrenkephalogramm des MenschenArchiv Fur Psychiatrie Und Nervenkrankheiten, 1929