Telencephalon: characteristics and functions

The brain is divided into different parts, one of them is the telencephalon. It is the largest, most anterior and superficial structure of the brain. Its name is used to give one of the formations that are generated during development since it is part of the structures that arise from the neural tube.

It is located above the diencephalon and is the highest integration center at the somatic and vegetative level. In addition, it is divided into two hemispheres, the right and left, which exchange information through the nerve fibers of the corpus callosum.

Thanks to the telencephalon we have functions such as memory, emotions, the perception of smell, sight and taste, among others. Let’s explore this amazing part of our brain.

How is the telencephalon divided?

Furthermore, in two hemispheres, from an embryological and ontogenic point of view can be divided into:

Neocortex. It means new or recent bark. These are the most evolved regions of the cortex. Also called isocortex. It is stratified in 6 horizontal layers.Paleocortex. It is the part of the cortex that corresponds to the termination regions of the olfactory pathways.Archicortex. It is also known as the cortex of the limbic lobe. It is considered the oldest part of the cerebral cortex.

Now, the outermost part of the hemispheres is called the cerebral cortex, and it is divided into five lobes:

Frontal lobe. It is located in the most anterior part of the brain. It is in charge of the central functions of information processing, thanks to it we have executive functions.Parietal lobe. It participates in sensory functions of recognition and position, in cognitive and analytical processes such as: memory, calculation and orientation.Occipital lobe. It is responsible for perceiving and analyzing visual information. This includes distances, sizes, light, position, movement, etc.Lobe temporary. It is located at ear level. It is the area that has the most connections with the limbic system, therefore, it is an affective area. It is also essential for memory.The insula. It is a structure that is located deep in the Sylvian fissure, where the temporal and frontal parietal lobes converge. It is related to the perception of taste and smell, visceral control, somatoperception and emotional integration, among other functions.

Structures of the telencephalon

In addition to the previous divisions, the following parts of the telencephalon can be highlighted:

Cerebral cortex. Which, as we have already seen, is divided into hemispheres and lobes, but also into layers that are coordinated with each other as sensitivity, motor and association areas that are responsible for perceiving and processing information.Cerebral amygdala. It is a structure that is part of the limbic system. It is the one in charge of everything that has to do with our emotional reactions. Furthermore, thanks to it, we can escape from risky and dangerous situations, making emotional learning possible.Hippocampus. Its main roles are: the consolidation and evocation of memories. Also, it is responsible for orientation, the ability to learn new things and interpret our memories and their link with emotions.Olfactory bulb. It is one of the oldest parts of the brain, it has been used for many tens of millions of years and is located below the lowest part of the cerebral cortex. It is responsible for processing the information coming from the odor receptors.Striated body. It is the main entry route to the basal ganglia. It is involved in movement control, procedural memory processing, attention focusing, motivation and the reward system.

Telencephalon pathology

Every part of the brain is essential for our survival and at the same time complex to understand. For this reason, there are still pathologies for which the causes are not yet 100% known, nor is there a cure.

The telencephalon is not far behind, it also presents serious pathologies that are difficult to decipher. Let’s look at some associated pathologies:

Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which the individual perceives reality distorted. Its origins continue to be debated; However, one of its causes may be a failure in glutamate, a neurotransmitter that is related to emotions and behavior.Depression. It is a mood disorder characterized by depression, apathy, easy crying, increased or loss of appetite, and suicidal ideation, among other factors.Bipolarity. It is a mental disorder that is characterized by a manic state or a hypomanic state and major depression. This condition generates significant discomfort in those who suffer from it and their environment.Parkinson’s disease. It is a disease in which movement coordination is affected and involves cognitive impairment, depression and hyposmia among other factors. Its development has been widely related to the affection of the basal ganglia.

Today we have great advances thanks to research groups such as Scott and collaborators, who in their publication in the journal Experimental Neurology suggested that the key to neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease may be due to autosomal recessive genes.

Research such as that published in an article this year (2018) in the journal is not far behind. The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, in which they propose the relationship of the endocannabinoid system with schizophrenia. In their study they reveal how pairs of twins are affected or not by schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, depending on inherited abnormalities in the cannabinoid system.

However, Although these diseases are difficult to address, it will not always be an impossible task.. Thanks to current research in neuroscience, we now have clues to better understand them. We hope that in the future we can find a cure.

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