The Thalamus

*Note: within these classes lie multiple nuclei responsible for functions 

• Arousal 
• Synchrony and rhythms of thalamic neuronal activity 
• A role in epileptogenesis (developing seizures) 

• Arousal 
• Attention 
• Nociception (components of pain) 

• Mood 
• Emotional experience and expression 
• Motivation 
• Learning 
• Memory 
• Drive 

• Auditory 
• Visual 
• Gustatory 
• Vestibular 
• Somatosensory body and limbs 
• Somatosensory head and neck 

• Movement (Motor) 
• Complex behaviors 
• Motor programming 
• Aspects of language 

• High level cognition (executive functions) 
• Working memory
• Higher order somatosensory and visual spatial integration 
• Spatial cognition 
• Likely involved in goal directed reaching and conceptual and analytical thinking 
• Attending to visual stimuli 
• Drive 
• Motivation 
• Inhibition 
• Emotion 

• Memory loss  

• Using a desk calendar or phone calendar (make it a habit to check it every morning and glance at it throughout the day) 
• Setting reminders on your phone 
• Setting alarms on your phone 
• Writing notes on post it notes and please them on visible areas such as your laptop 
• Use a notepad to cross off your daily checklist 
• Using a dry erase board in room or on your refrigerator for important information 
• Placing important objects in your sight 
• Eating a nutritious diet 
• Abstain from drinking alcohol 

• Word finding difficulty 

• Use pictures or drawing boards to communicate needs 
• Minimize distractions and background noise 

• Inability to recognize information such as objects or familiar faces 

• Performing tasks in a predictable environment (e.g., placing clothing in the same location every morning) 
• Follow a consistent routine as much as possible
• Adapt the environment with the most commonly used items in sight.
• Declutter irrelevant items 
• Look for clues, or differences in faces, such as a birthmark 

• Difficulty carrying out purposeful movements 

• Using visual pictures to sequence through steps such as putting on a shirt 
• Using dycem to help items such as plates and cups not slip 
• Performing activity in their usual environment 
• Limit distractions 
• Allow individuals to make mistakes to learn 

• Using weighted item to help reduce tremors 
• Weighted cuffs on wrist 
• Weighted vest 
• Weighted utensils, drinkware, plates 
• Using adaptive equipment to reduce spills while eating 
• Plate guard  
• Scoop dish 
• Using a “steady spoon” 
• Placing dycem to help keep items in place 
• Making sure your core and lower body are stabilize (button on your seat, feet placed firmly on the floor) to have more control of your arms, neck and head 
• Using your peripheral vision can help with tremors 
• Increasing textures (e.g., dycem around utensil) to help grasp objects better 
• Overshoot for items to pick them up (scoop) on the way back 
• Use single joints instead of multiple joints (e.g., elbows placed firmly on table while using your wrist and hands) 

• Hemianopia 

• Ophthalmologist might recommend prismatic correction glasses to help with double vision 
• Patching one eye 
• Practice scanning techniques to check for blind spots 

• Difficulty judging distances 

• Overshoot for items to scoop them back to you if having difficulties judging the item’s distance 
• Using bright tape on stairs to know where to step or doorways 
• Helpful to place on the edges of bathtubs or sinks to stand out 
• High contrast colors in your environment such as bathrooms to make items stand out  

• Use unaffected hand to check temperatures such as the shower before getting in 
• Permanently setting your water heater to a safe temperature  
• Looking for clues such as steam  

• Make it a habit to constantly perform skin checks on areas of body that does not feel pain 
• Checking for any redness on bony prominences of the body (e.g., buttox, toes, ankles) 
• To reduce possibility of pressure sores 
• Every morning and night 
• Every time after showering 
• See Hemiplegia section for similar tips  

• Paralysis on one side of the body 

• Engage in self range of motion exercises to decrease possibility of contractures and to increase sensation to the affected side 
• Place your body weight on affected side as much as possible to help regain function 
• Lying your arm out on table during activities 
• Shifting your weight on your affected side while sitting 
• Feet place firmly on floor 
• Using affected limb as much as possible to help with task to provide input 
• Examples include placing jar against affected hand to help stabilize while your other hand helps open it 
• Using one handed dressing methods 
• Adaptive equipment such as reachers 

• Weakness on one side of the body 

• Complete tasks while seated to conserve energy 
• Taking plenty or rest breaks 
• Engage affected head as much as possible to gain strength (e.g., when showering using a hand over hand method to assist affected hand while washing hair) 
• Safety: using assistive device for balance 

• Minimize confusion 
• Use short simple words 
• Utilizing coping strategies (Deep breathing exercises meditation. Videos can be found on online such as Youtube) 
• Journaling to discover patterns of triggers before experiencing anger 
• Practicing counting down from 10 before reacting 
• Walking away from the situation instead of engaging in behavior 
• Listening to music to increase mood 
• Aroma therapy such as lavender oil 
• Keep the environment safe! 
• Remove dangerous objects 

• Engaging in music or art therapy 
• Studies have also shown pet therapy may have a positive effect on apathy 
• Getting a good night’s rest 
• Aroma therapy (e.g., lavender oils) 
• Breaking activity in smaller tasks to increase success 
• Engaging in exercise 
• Joining a support group 

• Getting a good night’s sleep 
• Provide extra stimulation for alertness (e.g., scents) or reduce stimulation as needed 

• Give constant feedback to bring awareness. For example, saying “You just asked that. We just let you know your sister is on her way” 
• Redirect individual – “Let’s have you brush your teeth now” 

• Make sure you do not have a heavy meal a few hours before bed 
• Use blue light glasses while using phone or computer at night 
• Aroma therapy (Lavender oils) 
• Refraining from technology use once lying in bed 
• Using a sleep diary (can be printed online) to track sleeping patterns 
• Limit caffeine intake 
• Decaf coffee (note: decaf still has caffeine) 
• Teas with NO caffeine 
• Chamomile tea with lavender