Cortical decrease in spike latency

Synchrony and spike timing in the thalamus are essential for coincidence detection in the cortex. Sensory processing is thought to be promoted by this type of mechanism. In this study (Lecas, JC EJN 19:2519), LC noradrenergic inputs are shown to sharpen these thalamocorticcal inputs. Thus, this may be one mechanism by which awake and attentional states can influence sensory processing and perception.