Cognition can be conceptualized as a set of algorithmic control functions whose real-time deployment determines how an organism stores and uses information to guide thought and action. A subset of these functions is required for goal-directed selection and amplification of sensory signals-broadly referred to as attention-and for its flexible control and its interaction with processes such as working memory and decision making. While the contribution of recurrent cortical microcircuits to cognition has been extensively studied, the role of the thalamus is just beginning to be elucidated. Here we highlight recent studies across rodents and primates showing how thalamus contributes to attentional control. In addition to high-fidelity information relay to or between cortical regions, thalamic circuits shift and sustain functional interactions within and across cortical areas. This thalamic process enables rapid coordination of spatially segregated cortical computations, thereby constructing task-relevant functional networks. Because such function may be critical for cognitive flexibility, clarifying its mechanisms will likely expand our basic understanding of cognitive control and its perturbation in disease.

中文翻译：

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丘脑功能在分布式认知控制中。

可以将认知概念化为一组算法控制功能，这些功能的实时部署决定了生物体如何存储和使用信息来指导思想和行动。这些功能的一个子集对于目标定向的感觉信号的选择和放大（通常被称为注意力），灵活的控制以及与工作记忆和决策等过程的交互作用都是必需的。虽然已经广泛研究了复发性皮层微电路对认知的贡献，但丘脑的作用才刚刚开始被阐明。在这里，我们重点介绍了啮齿动物和灵长类动物的最新研究，这些研究表明丘脑如何促进注意力控制。除了在皮质区域之间或皮质区域之间传递高保真信息外，丘脑回路在皮质区域内和跨皮质区域转移并维持功能性相互作用。该丘脑过程使得能够快速协调空间上分离的皮层计算，从而构建与任务相关的功能网络。由于这种功能对于认知灵活性可能至关重要，因此阐明其机制可能会扩展我们对认知控制及其在疾病中的扰动的基本理解。