Israeli Researchers Discover Claustrum’s Role in Controlling Alertness and Impulse Control

Tel Aviv [Israel], July 14: Israeli researchers have identified a crucial function of a specific brain region in controlling alertness levels. This discovery could lead to new treatments for disorders like ADHD, drug addiction, and schizophrenia.

The Claustrum: A Small but Mighty Brain Region

The claustrum is a small, thin part of the brain that connects many other brain regions. Despite its size, it plays a significant role in integrating sensory and motor information. Its deep location in the brain’s white matter has made it challenging to study.

New Findings on Claustrum’s Function

Researchers from Hebrew University, led by Professor Ami Citri and Dr. Gal Atlan, along with Prof. Yuval Nir of Tel Aviv University, explored how claustrum neurons influence sensory responsiveness and impulse control. They found that increased activity in these neurons reduced sensory responsiveness and impulsivity, while lower activity led to hyper-engagement and increased impulsive errors.

Implications for Treatment

The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that the claustrum’s activity level directly impacts our responsiveness to sensory stimuli and overall alertness. This discovery could lead to targeted treatments for attention disorders and sleep disturbances.

Professor Citri explained, “Our study provides compelling evidence that claustrum neurons act as gatekeepers of engagement, regulating how likely perception is to drive action.”

The findings enhance our understanding of the brain’s attention mechanisms and could open new pathways for treating disorders related to attention and impulse control, such as ADHD, OCD, schizophrenia, and drug addiction.