What is pulvinar?

Pulvinar is a complex and large nucleus of the thalamus that is located in the posterior region of the brain. It is involved in visual processing and plays an important role in directing visual attention and integrating information from different sensory modalities. It receives input from several areas of the visual cortex and sends output to various regions of the brain, including the visual cortex, prefrontal cortex, superior colliculus, and amygdala. It is also involved in the processing of emotionally salient stimuli and plays a role in regulating attention and arousal. Dysfunction of the pulvinar has been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).