The RAS (reticular activating system) sends signals that need to be relayed to the forebrain to the thalamus. The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information, including information from the RAS, and sends it to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex for further processing. The thalamus is an important part of the brain's sensory and motor pathways, and it plays a crucial role in regulating consciousness, attention, and alertness.