( ( ( The functions ) ( of ( the ( ( thalamus and ) midbrain ) ) ) ) ( ( include ( ( the regulation ) ( of ( consciousness ( , ( ( sleep and ) alertness ) ) ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (NP (DT The) (NNS functions)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT the) (NNS thalamus) (CC and) (NNS midbrain)))) (VP (VBP include) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN regulation)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NN consciousness) (, ,) (NN sleep) (CC and) (NNS alertness))))) (. .)))
The functions of the thalamus and midbrain include the regulation of consciousness, sleep and alertness.
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NNS thalamus)) (VP (VBZ helps) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VP (VB regulate) (NP (NN consciousness))) (, ,) (VP (VB arousal)) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VB sleep) (NP (NNS states))))))) (. .)))