Thalamus is essential for human function. It has extensive and in-depth effects on limbic system， ascending reticular system， sensorimotor system， and cerebral cortex. Many studies had shown that thalamus plays an extremely important role in the process of cognitive activities. When the thalamus is damaged， the body will exhibit different degrees of cognitive dysfunction， and the characteristics of cognitive dysfunction caused by the damage of different nuclear groups in the thalamus are also inconsistent. This paper reviews the cognitive dysfunction caused by the damage of different nuclear groups in thalamus to improve the relevant understand.