Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42203968›Full record

ArticleNature human behaviour2026

Thalamic oscillations distinguish natural states of consciousness in humans.

Aditya Chowdhury, Xiongbo Wu, Tara Beilner, Thomas Schreiner, Thomas Koeglsperger, Jan-Hinnerk Mehrkens, Jan Remi, Christian Vollmar, Elisabeth Kaufmann, Tobias Staudigl

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Nature human behaviour, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Aditya ChowdhuryDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5795-517X
Xiongbo WuDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Tara BeilnerDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-3005-1718
Thomas SchreinerDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2030-5998
Thomas KoeglspergerDepartment of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Jan-Hinnerk MehrkensDepartment of Neurosurgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Jan RemiDepartment of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Christian VollmarDepartment of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Elisabeth Kaufmann *Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7582-2215
Tobias Staudigl *Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany. tobias.staudigl@psy.lmu.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2885-1280

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) 520139811Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) 520617944EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council) 802681EC | Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020) 101248723
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Natural states of consciousness are thought to be regulated by deep brain structures such as the thalamus. However, very little is known about the underlying electrophysiology in humans. Here, using a rare opportunity to directly record from the human thalamus, we identify a hitherto-unreported brain-state-specific oscillation of approximately 19-45 Hz. This oscillation is present only during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and wakefulness, while being absent during non-REM sleep. The 19-45 Hz oscillation further distinguishes REM sleep microstates, co-occurring with bursts of eye movements, and is specific to the central thalamus, a structure implicated in causing global brain state transitions. The discovery of a distinct oscillatory signature in the central thalamus that distinguishes conscious states opens up avenues to further investigate thalamic contributions to states of consciousness in humans and potentially to refine interventions to treat disorders of consciousness.

Indexed as

Brain WavesConsciousnessSleep, REMThalamusWakefulnessAdultElectroencephalographyEye MovementsFemaleHumansMaleYoung Adult

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.