A role for the claustrum in cognitive control

Imagine the claustrum as a conductor of an intricate symphony, guiding and coordinating all the different sections to create a harmonious musical experience. Early theories about the claustrum’s role were like scattered notes, with each suggesting a different function – from detecting important information to combining sensory inputs. However, as more research emerged, it became clear that these theories didn’t quite fit together. Now, scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking model called network instantiation in cognitive control (NICC), which integrates these diverse ideas. Think of NICC as a conductor who not only brings together individual musicians but also directs their movements and timing to achieve a flawless performance. This new model allows us to better understand how the claustrum influences various cognitive processes like decision making and attention. To dive into the fascinating world of claustrum research and explore this exciting breakthrough, check out the full article!