We have to find a way – growth and guidance of thalamocortical axons

The thalamus is a major part of the diencephalon and a hub for integrating sensory, motor and emotional information. Thalamocortical neuronal loops are involved in processing of sensory stimuli, directing attention, regulating the level of conscious awareness and selecting behavioural responses. The establishment of topographic thalamo-cortical connections is critical for brain performance, and their dysfunctions can contribute to the development of mental disorders. Thalamic axon guidance is regulated by the expression of molecular cues along the way to the cortex. In this review we outline the guiding process from the early growth of thalamic axons to their topographic targeting to specific cortical areas.