Group 4 Diencephalon

DIENCEPH
ALONPRESENTED BY
GROUP 4
Objectives
Learners will be able to describe and locate the diencephalon and its major parts.
Learners will be able to determine the function of the major parts and diencephalon
itself.
Learners will be able to connect and relate the said major parts.
Learners will know the changes in diencephalon if damage is presence.

DIENCEPHA
LON
The diencephalon is a region in the brain that regulates sensory
processing and various essential functions like sleep, hunger, and
body temperature.
Diencephalon is composed of two structures; the Thalamus and the

Hypothalamus
Thalamus - acts as a sensory relay station (vision, hearing, touch

and transmitting information).
Hypothalamus - bodily functions that is responsible for controlling

behaviors (hunger, thirst, body temperature and sleep-wake cycle).
Other key factors:

• Epithalamus- produces melatonin for sleep wake cycle.
• Subthalamus- motor functions (body movement helper)
Diencephalon
• Damage to regions of the diencephalon, such as the anterior thalamic nucleus,
mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, and mammillary nuclei, has been associated
with memory impairment (Squire et al., 2020).
• According to (National Organization for Rare Disorders, 2023), affected infants and
young children may develop symptoms that include the failure to gain weight and grow
as would be expected based upon age and gender (failure to thrive) and abnormal
progressive thinness and weakness (emaciation).
• Changes in the functions of Diencephalon includes Sensory Processing, Sleep and

Waking Cycles, Appetite, Body Temperature, Emotions and Behavior, Hormonal
Regulation, Endocrine System and Memory.
THE HUMAN DIENCEPHALON
Thalamus
It’s known as a relay station of all incoming motor (movement) and
sensory information — hearing, taste, sight and touch (but not smell) —
from your body to your brain.
Function
Relaying sensory information Relaying motor (movement) Prioritizing attention

information
Function
Role in consciousness Role in thinking (cognition)

and memory
How does your
thalamus work?
THALAMUS DYSFUCTION
• Memory loss
• Lack of interest or enthusiasm
• Loss of ability to understand language or speak
• Trouble with attention, loss of alertness
• Trouble processing sensory information
• Impaired movement
• Sleepiness
What conditions affect the
thalamus?
• Fatal familial insomnia

• Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and
Fabry disease
• Korsakoff syndrome
Hypothalamus
A small area in the brain, located at the base of the brain below the
anterior thalamus, near the pituitary gland.
Hypothalamus' main role is to keep the body balanced in stable conditions

called homeostasis.
• The hypothalamus is working with Pituitary Gland to control the production and
releasing of hormones to the body.
• Pituitary Glands is located below the hypothalamus which consists of two lobes;
anterior pituitary and posterior pituitary.
Function of Hypothalamus
1. Body Temperature
2. Heart Rate
3. Hunger
4. Mood/Emotions
5. Release hormones from many glands, especially pituitary gland
6. Sex Drive
7. Sleep
8. Blood Pressure
9. Thirst
hypothalamus
Hypothalamus has three main regions.
⚬ Anterior Region or Supraoptic Region
⚬ Middle Region or Tuberal Region
⚬ Posterior Region or Mammillary Region
Some Hormones of the Hypothalamus:

⚬ Somatostatin
⚬ Oxytocin
⚬ Vasopressin (ADH)
⚬ Dopamine
hypothalamus
Some Causes of hypothalamic dysfunction include:
⚬ Head injuries
⚬ Weight loss
⚬ Some genetic disorders
References:
Johnson, J. (2023, February 16). What does the hypothalamus do?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312628#function
Kidd D. (2014). The optic chiasm. Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.), 27(8), 1149–1158.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22385
National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2023, September 7). Diencephalic Syndrome - Symptoms, causes, treatment |
NORD. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/diencephalic-syndrome/
Neuroscientifically Challenged. (2018, November 2). 2-Minute Neuroscience: Optic nerve (Cranial nerve II) [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai7QnHS7C7g
Professional, C. C. medical. (2020). Thalamus: What it is, Function & Disorders. Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22652-thalamus
Seladi-Schulman, J., PhD. (2023, June 23). Hypothalamus overview. Healthline.

https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/hypothalamus#function
Squire, L., Kim, S., Frascino, J., Bennett, J., Insausti, R., & Amaral, D. (2020). Neuropsychological and
neuropathological observations of a long-studied case of memory impairment. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 117(47), 29883-29893.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2018960117
thank you
PRESENTED BY
GROUP 4

Group 4 Diencephalon

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DIENCEPH

Learners will know the changes in diencephalon if damage is presence.

Diencephalon is composed of two structures; the Thalamus and the

Thalamus - acts as a sensory relay station (vision, hearing, touch

Hypothalamus - bodily functions that is responsible for controlling

Other key factors:

• Changes in the functions of Diencephalon includes Sensory Processing, Sleep and

Relaying sensory information Relaying motor (movement) Prioritizing attention

Role in consciousness Role in thinking (cognition)

• Fatal familial insomnia

Hypothalamus' main role is to keep the body balanced in stable conditions

Some Hormones of the Hypothalamus:

Seladi-Schulman, J., PhD. (2023, June 23). Hypothalamus overview. Healthline.

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