The role of transthalamic pathways in perception

Cognition is supported by neuronal signaling between regions of the cerebral cortex, most of which are linked by a strong synapse in the thalamus, forming transthalamic pathways. These pathways have gained attention for their powerful influence on perception, distinct from direct corticocortical pathways, prompting a reassessment of current cortical processing models. Recent advances in recording and manipulation technologies have allowed components of these pathways to be probed during behavior, but not the entire pathway. Here we synthesize findings on transthalamic contributions to perceptual behavior and outline the methodological constraints that shape interpretations. We argue that, despite these limitations, a converging conceptual update is taking form: transthalamic pathways operate as dynamic integrators that convey contextual, internal-state, and task-relevant information across distributed cortical areas. More complete understanding of these circuits will refine broader theories of brain computation.