Nucleus Function

Anterior nucleus Emotional reaction

Lateral Dorsal nucleus Autonomic component of emotions

Ventral Anterior Relay center for motor signals from basal

ganglia

Ventral lateral Relay center for motor signals from basal

ganglia and cerebellum

Ventral posterior lateral Receives somatic sensory information from the

opposite side of the body

Ventral posterior medial -Receives somatic sensory information from the

face , scalp , oral and nasal cavities and dura
-taste information
Intra-laminar Control arousal as a part of ascending RAS

Midline nucleus Control arousal as a part of ascending RAS

Dorsal medial Role in memory

Lateral geniculate Relay center for visual signals

Medial geniculate Relay center for auditory signals

Paraventricular Secrete vasopressin and oxytocin

Supraoptic Secrete vasopressin and oxytocin

Thirst centers

Lateral nucleus Feeding center and Arousal by releasing Orexin

Ventromedial nucleus Satiety center

Arcuate nucleus Release neuropeptide Y which increase the

appetite

Suprachiasmatic nucleus Control of circadian rhythm

Supraoptic Release GABA and Galanin to inhibit

neurotransmitters of arousal

Inferior Olivary nucleus Compares sensory and motor information for

detection of errors in movement through its
projection to cerebellum ( motor learning )
superior colliculus Required for eye movement

Raphe nuclei Secrete serotonin for arousal

Locus ceruleus Secrete noradrenaline for arousal

Caudate Learning and storing automatic subconscious

movement
Release GABA inhibitory to GPi and GPe
Globus Pallidus Release GABA inhibitory to thalamic neurons

Subtantia Nigra Pars compacta : Release the stimulatory

Dopamine to corpus striatum (modulation of
direct and indirect pathway )
Pars Reticulata : Inhibition of superior colliculus
neurons
Sub-thalamic Release Glutamate stimulatory to GPi

Amygdaloid Emotional response to olfactory stimuli

Fastigial Relay center for vermis output

Interposed nuclei Relay center for the hemispheric portion of

spino-cerebellum output

Dentate Relay center for cerebro-cerebellum output

Accumbens nucleus Motivation and reward center