====== Centromedian nucleus ======

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The **centromedian [[nucleus]] (CM)** is a key part of the **[[intralaminar nuclei]]** of the **[[thalamus]]**, and it's involved in a variety of important functions, especially in **arousal, attention, sensorimotor integration**, and **modulation of basal ganglia circuits**.

===== Basic Anatomy =====

- **Location**: In the posterior intralaminar thalamus.
- **Group**: Intralaminar thalamic nuclei.
- **Adjacent structures**: Mediodorsal nucleus (medially), pulvinar (posteriorly), ventral posterior nuclei (laterally).

===== Connections =====

- **Afferents**:
  - **Brainstem reticular formation**: involved in arousal and consciousness.
  - **Spinal cord**: nociceptive input.
  - **Cerebellum**: via the dentatothalamic pathway.
- **Efferents**:
  - **Striatum** (especially the putamen and caudate): influences motor control through basal ganglia circuits.
  - **Cortex** (especially frontal and parietal): modulates attention and awareness.

===== Functions =====

- **Arousal and consciousness**: Part of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS).
- **Pain perception**: Relays nociceptive input to cortex.
- **Motor control**: Via basal ganglia-thalamocortical loops.
- **Cognitive and attentional modulation**: Projects to associative cortical areas.

===== Clinical Relevance =====

- **Epilepsy**: CM is a target for **deep brain stimulation (DBS)**, particularly in **generalized epilepsy** or **Lennox-Gastaut syndrome**.
- **Parkinson’s disease and dystonia**: As part of basal ganglia circuits, CM-DBS has been explored as a potential therapy.
- **Disorders of consciousness**: Because of its role in arousal, CM stimulation has been tested in patients with coma or vegetative state.

===== Thalamic centromedian nucleus deep brain stimulation =====


see [[Thalamic centromedian nucleus deep brain stimulation]].