The functional role of thalamus in memory
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The functional role of thalamic-mediated brain networks in memory: A neuropsychological investigation
IRAS ID
335977
Contact name
Alex Kafkas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 5 months, 10 days
Research summary
The thalamus, a brain structure deep inside the brain, includes multiple nuclei. The specific contribution of these nuclei in memory and the way they communicate with other critical structures of the memory network remain understudied. Damage to some of these structures is linked to memory disorders, which means they should support functions related to memory. However, whether this damage disrupts processes directly related to memory retrieval or can be explained by other cognitive dysfunctions is disputed. It is also disputed whether damage in these nuclei prevents patients recollecting their memory or, in addition, it affects their feeling of familiarity for previously experienced things. The main reasons these questions are still outstanding in the memory literature, relate to key methodological considerations, including small number of participants - especially patients with damage in the thalamus - and insufficient measures of cognition and memory in previous studies. In the proposed project, we will select 40 patients from NHS sites with memory problems as a result of thalamic stroke resulting in reduced volumes in these structures. State-of-the-art brain imaging will be used to measure these structural volumes, as well as the size of fibre tracts and spontaneous connectivity mediated by the thalamic nuclei. Tests of cognitive function and memory, including tests of familiarity and recollection for different types of stimuli, such as scenes, objects and words, will be given to patients and healthy participants at experimental sessions at the University of Manchester. By relating memory and cognitive tests with brain imaging data, we will determine how the various thalamic structures function in the different types of memory, whether the role of the thalamus in memory can be explained by other higher cognitive functions and whether specific thalamic nuclei are responsible for integrating and communicating memory signals. The study is expected to last for 3 years.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EM/0176
Date of REC Opinion
17 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion