Its physiological role involves
attention and
arousal, including control of the level of cortical activity. Some frequencies of extracellular electrical stimulation of the centromedian nucleus can cause
absence seizures (temporary loss of consciousness) although electrical stimulation can be of therapeutic use in intractable
epilepsy and
Tourette's syndrome. Specifically, the centromedian nucleus has been proposed as a target for neuromodulation-based treatment of generalized epilepsy.
General anaesthetics specifically suppress activity in the ITN, including the centromedian nucleus. Complete bilateral lesions of the centromedian nucleus can lead to states normally associated with
brain death such as
coma, death,
persistent vegetative state, forms of
mutism and severe
delirium. Unilateral lesions can lead to unilateral thalamic neglect. (See
hemispatial neglect.) A patient with
electrodes implanted into more than 50 different regions in his brain (including regions giving him orgasmic feelings) chose to self stimulate the electrode in his centromedian nucleus more than all other electrodes. The patient's explanation of this: "The subject reported that he was almost able to recall a memory during this stimulation, but he could not quite grasp it. The frequent selfstimulations were an endeavor to bring this elusive memory into clear focus." ==Additional images==