[The "thalamus-cerebral cortex" anatomofunctinal unit in the waking state]

The "thalamus-cerebral cortex unit" is awakened by the "ascending reticular activating system", which originates from neuronal groups located within the brainstem, hypothalamus and basal forebrain, all of which use known neurotransmitters and whose neurons are more active during wakefulness than during the other behavioral states. Synergies among several of these neurotransmitters are necessary to generate the cortical and thalamic activation that is characteristic of wakefulness. During the wakefulness the complex interrelated structures of the "thalamus-cerebral cortex unit" provide the pathway that interconnects cortex and thalamus and allow the modulation, and organization of the mechanisms producing the adequate activity of the different thalamic and cortical formations and the organization of cognitive processes and performance of appropriate behavioral responses.