Exploring the Neuroscience of Consciousness: From Neural Correlates to Quantum Possibilities
Martin Ciupa
AI Entrepreneur. Keynote Speaker, Interests in: AI/Cybernetics, Physics, Consciousness Studies/Neuroscience, Philosophy: Ethics/Ontology/Maths/Science. Poetry, Life and Love.
This article reviews issues related to consciousness in the human brain, offering interesting perspectives and providing links for further reading.
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Title: Exploring the Neuroscience of Consciousness: From Neural Correlates to Quantum Possibilities
Abstract:
Consciousness, the subjective experience of the world around us, remains one of the most profound mysteries in science. This exploration delves into the fascinating field of the neuroscience of consciousness, examining key findings and current theories that attempt to bridge the gap between neural activity and subjective experience. We begin with the search for the Neural Correlates of Consciousness (NCC) and discuss prominent frameworks like Integrated Information Theory and Global Workspace Theory. The role of the thalamus in integrating information and the implications of blindsight and split-brain patients are also examined. We further explore the potential role of EEG in coordinating brain-wide activity through ephaptic coupling and delve into the controversial idea of quantum consciousness arising from microtubules. While a complete understanding of consciousness remains elusive, this overview highlights the remarkable progress and diverse approaches in this captivating field.
1. The Neural Correlates of Consciousness (NCC)
* Fact: Researchers seek to identify the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC), which are the minimal neuronal mechanisms jointly sufficient for any specific conscious percept.
* Reference: Koch, C., Massimini, M., Boly, M., & Tononi, G. (2016). Neural correlates of consciousness: progress and problems. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 17(5), 307–321.
2. Integrated Information Theory (IIT)
* Fact: Integrated Information Theory (IIT) proposes that consciousness arises from the amount of integrated information generated by a system. Some neuroscientists have recently criticized this notion.
* Reference: Tononi, G. (2008). Consciousness as integrated information: a provisional manifesto. The Biological Bulletin, 215(3), 216–242.
* Reference: Hedda Hassel M?rch. Integrated Information Theory: Criticisms and Replies. Oct 20, 2023
3. The Role of the Thalamus
* Fact: The thalamus, a structure deep within the brain, is thought to play a crucial role in consciousness by acting as a relay station, integrating information from different brain regions.
* Reference: Ward, L. M. (2011). The thalamic dynamic core theory of conscious experience. Consciousness and Cognition, 20(2), 464–486.
4. The Global Workspace Theory
* Fact: The Global Workspace Theory posits that consciousness arises from a "global workspace" in the brain where information is broadcast and shared across different modules.
* Reference: Baars, B. J. (2005). Global workspace theory of consciousness: toward a cognitive neuroscience of human experience. Progress in Brain Research, 150, 45–53.
5. The Hard Problem of Consciousness
* Fact: Philosopher David Chalmers articulated the "hard problem of consciousness," highlighting the difficulty of explaining why and how we have subjective experiences, even if we can identify the neural correlates.
* Reference: Chalmers, D. J. (1995). Facing up to the problem of consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2(3), 200–219.
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6. Blindsight
* Fact: Blindsight is a phenomenon where individuals with damage to their visual cortex can respond to visual stimuli without consciously perceiving them, suggesting that some visual processing can occur outside of conscious awareness.
* Reference: Weiskrantz, L. (1996). Blindsight revisited. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 6(2), 215–220.
7. Split-Brain Patients
* Fact: Studies on split-brain patients whose corpus callosum (the connection between the two brain hemispheres) has been severed have revealed that consciousness can be lateralized, with each hemisphere having its independent awareness.
* Reference: Gazzaniga, M. S. (2005). Forty-five years of split-brain research are still going strong. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 6(8 ), 653–659.
8. The Default Mode Network
* Fact: The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a network of brain regions that is active when we are not focused on the external world and is thought to be involved in self-awareness, introspection, and mind-wandering.
* Reference: Buckner, R. L., Andrews-Hanna, J. R., & Schacter, D. L. (2008). The brain's default network: anatomy, function, and relevance to disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1124(1), 1–38.
9. EEG as a Coordinator of Brainwide Ephaptic Communication
* Fact: Beyond measuring brain activity, EEG might play a functional role in coordinating neural activity across the brain through ephaptic coupling, where neurons influence each other through electric fields, not just synaptic connections. This could contribute to the large-scale integration necessary for consciousness.
* Reference: Anastassiou, C. A., Perin, R., Markram, H., & Koch, C. (2011). Ephaptic coupling of cortical neurons. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 217–223.
10. Quantum Consciousness and Microtubules
* Fact: The Orch OR theory proposes that consciousness arises from quantum computations within microtubules, protein structures inside neurons. Evidence supporting this includes observations of microtubules emitting frequencies in EEG bands altered by anaesthesia.
* Reference: Hameroff, S., & Penrose, R. (2014). Consciousness in the universe: a review of the ‘Orch OR’ theory. Physics of Life Reviews, 11(1), 39–78.
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