# Neural circuits linking the prefrontal cortex and thalamus

> **NIH NIH F30** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $49,643

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The mammalian prefrontal cortex (PFC) is known to be critical for cognitive control of thoughts
and actions, as evidenced by the disruption of normal PFC activity in cognitive diseases such as
schizophrenia. Sustained activation of the PFC during cognition appears to depend on input from
higher-order thalamic nuclei. These nuclei project strongly to cortical layer 1 (L1), where they can
engage both inhibitory neurons and pyramidal cell dendrites. Multiple classes of both dendrites
and interneurons are positioned to receive L1 thalamic input, with important consequences for
PFC activity. Connections from thalamic input onto pyramidal neuron dendrites could drive
dendritic spikes in distinct sub-cellular compartments. Similarly, thalamic input onto locally-
projecting vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP+) or neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF+)
interneurons could drive unique patterns of inhibition within L1. The interaction of these
excitatory and inhibitory responses will ultimately shape PFC processing and output. Despite the
importance of interactions between the thalamus and PFC for cognitive behavior, the cell-type
specific connectivity between them remains largely unknown. This proposal will explore the
interaction between excitation and inhibition in L1 of the PFC evoked by input from the thalamus.
Aim 1 will identify whether thalamic input to L1 generates spikes in particular dendritic
compartments. Aim 2 will examine the responses of inhibitory interneurons in L1 to thalamic
stimulation and compare those responses to nearby projection neurons. Aim 3 will test how that
inhibition is directed locally onto pyramidal neuron dendrites or other classes of interneurons.
Together, this work will provide necessary insights into the mechanisms that allow the thalamus
to drive PFC dendritic activity during cognitive tasks that are disrupted in psychiatric illness.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10007589
- **Project number:** 5F30MH117859-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** David Paul Collins
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $49,643
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10007589

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10007589, Neural circuits linking the prefrontal cortex and thalamus (5F30MH117859-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10007589. Licensed CC0.

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