Intralaminar thalamic nuclei

The intralaminar thalamic nuclei (ITN) are collections of neurons in the internal medullary lamina of the thalamus that are generally divided in two groups as follows:

• anterior (rostral) group
  • central medial nucleus
  • paracentral nucleus
  • central lateral nucleus
• posterior (caudal) intralaminar group
  • centromedian nucleus
  • parafascicular nucleus

Some sources also include a "central dorsal" nucleus.

Degeneration of this area can be associated with progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, infarction of the thalamic paramedian artery may result in varied features such as disorientation, confusion, hypersomnolence, deep coma, or akinetic mutism. This area is also prominently affected in traumatic brain injuries. One postmortem study of patients with closed head injuries showed correlation of the involvement of these nuclei with the various degrees of disability.