Question

A patient suffers a stroke that causes damage to the subdivision of the medial dorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MDpc) that reciprocally connects with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Describe one major cognitive impairment that you expect that patient will exhibit. Be sure to define the impairment, and explain why it would result from a lesion of MDpc. DESIGN A BEHAVIORAL ASSAY TO INTERROGATE THIS COGNITIVE FUNCTION.

Answer 1

Medial dorsal nucleus of thalamus is an important structure associated with memory,attention, planning, organization, abstract thinking and multi-tasking. This large nucleus have association with prefrontal cortex. Major cognitive impairment seen in patients with this disorder is Amnesia( Losss of short term or long term memory). Korsakoff's syndrome is the amnesic disorder occurs due to deficiency of vit B1(THIAMINE) which results in improper phosphorylation of pyruvate and leads to damage of nerve cells of limbic system like dorsal nucleus of thalamus and prefrontal cortex areas. Use domain specific learning technique for treatment of this disorder.