1
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Northoff G, Zilio F, Zhang J. Beyond task response-Pre-stimulus activity modulates contents of consciousness. Phys Life Rev 2024; 49:19-37. [PMID: 38492473 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The current discussion on the neural correlates of the contents of consciousness (NCCc) focuses mainly on the post-stimulus period of task-related activity. This neglects the substantial impact of the spontaneous or ongoing activity of the brain as manifest in pre-stimulus activity. Does the interaction of pre- and post-stimulus activity shape the contents of consciousness? Addressing this gap in our knowledge, we review and converge two recent lines of findings, that is, pre-stimulus alpha power and pre- and post-stimulus alpha trial-to-trial variability (TTV). The data show that pre-stimulus alpha power modulates post-stimulus activity including specifically the subjective features of conscious contents like confidence and vividness. At the same time, alpha pre-stimulus variability shapes post-stimulus TTV reduction including the associated contents of consciousness. We propose that non-additive rather than merely additive interaction of the internal pre-stimulus activity with the external stimulus in the alpha band is key for contents to become conscious. This is mediated by mechanisms on different levels including neurophysiological, neurocomputational, neurodynamic, neuropsychological and neurophenomenal levels. Overall, considering the interplay of pre-stimulus intrinsic and post-stimulus extrinsic activity across wider timescales, not just evoked responses in the post-stimulus period, is critical for identifying neural correlates of consciousness. This is well in line with both processing and especially the Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Northoff
- University of Ottawa, Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Federico Zilio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jianfeng Zhang
- Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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2
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Chis-Ciure R, Melloni L, Northoff G. A measure centrality index for systematic empirical comparison of consciousness theories. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105670. [PMID: 38615851 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Consciousness science is marred by disparate constructs and methodologies, making it challenging to systematically compare theories. This foundational crisis casts doubts on the scientific character of the field itself. Addressing it, we propose a framework for systematically comparing consciousness theories by introducing a novel inter-theory classification interface, the Measure Centrality Index (MCI). Recognizing its gradient distribution, the MCI assesses the degree of importance a specific empirical measure has for a given consciousness theory. We apply the MCI to probe how the empirical measures of the Global Neuronal Workspace Theory (GNW), Integrated Information Theory (IIT), and Temporospatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC) would fare within the context of the other two. We demonstrate that direct comparison of IIT, GNW, and TTC is meaningful and valid for some measures like Lempel-Ziv Complexity (LZC), Autocorrelation Window (ACW), and possibly Mutual Information (MI). In contrast, it is problematic for others like the anatomical and physiological neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) due to their MCI-based differential weightings within the structure of the theories. In sum, we introduce and provide proof-of-principle of a novel systematic method for direct inter-theory empirical comparisons, thereby addressing isolated evolution of theories and confirmatory bias issues in the state-of-the-art neuroscience of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Chis-Ciure
- New York University (NYU), New York, USA; International Center for Neuroscience and Ethics (CINET), Tatiana Foundation, Madrid, Spain; Wolfram Physics Project, USA.
| | - Lucia Melloni
- Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Georg Northoff
- University of Ottawa, Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
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3
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Szakács H, Mutlu MC, Balestrieri G, Gombos F, Braun J, Kringelbach ML, Deco G, Kovács I. Navigating Pubertal Goldilocks: The Optimal Pace for Hierarchical Brain Organization. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308364. [PMID: 38489748 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Adolescence is a timed process with an onset, tempo, and duration. Nevertheless, the temporal dimension, especially the pace of maturation, remains an insufficiently studied aspect of developmental progression. The primary objective is to estimate the precise influence of pubertal maturational tempo on the configuration of associative brain regions. To this end, the connection between maturational stages and the level of hierarchical organization of large-scale brain networks in 12-13-year-old females is analyzed. Skeletal maturity is used as a proxy for pubertal progress. The degree of maturity is defined by the difference between bone age and chronological age. To assess the level of hierarchical organization in the brain, the temporal dynamic of closed eye resting state high-density electroencephalography (EEG) in the alpha frequency range is analyzed. Different levels of hierarchical order are captured by the measured asymmetry in the directionality of information flow between different regions. The calculated EEG-based entropy production of participant groups is then compared with accelerated, average, and decelerated maturity. Results indicate that an average maturational trajectory optimally aligns with cerebral hierarchical order, and both accelerated and decelerated timelines result in diminished cortical organization. This suggests that a "Goldilocks rule" of brain development is favoring a particular maturational tempo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Szakács
- Laboratory for Psychological Research, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, 1 Mikszáth Square, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
- Semmelweis University Doctoral School, Division of Mental Health Sciences, 26 Üllői road, Budapest, 1085, Hungary
| | - Murat Can Mutlu
- Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 44 Leipziger Straße, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, 44 Leipziger Straße, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Giulio Balestrieri
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 25-27 Ramon Trias Fargas, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
| | - Ferenc Gombos
- Laboratory for Psychological Research, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, 1 Mikszáth Square, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE-PPKE Adolescent Development Research Group, 1 Mikszáth Kálmán Square, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
| | - Jochen Braun
- Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 44 Leipziger Straße, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, 44 Leipziger Straße, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Morten L Kringelbach
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Wellington Square, Oxford, OX3 9BX, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Wellington Square, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 25-27 Ramon Trias Fargas, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
- Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 122-140 Carrer de Tànger, Barcelona, 08018, Spain
- Institució Catalana de la Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 23 Passeig de Lluís Companys, Barcelona, 08010, Spain
| | - Ilona Kovács
- HUN-REN-ELTE-PPKE Adolescent Development Research Group, 1 Mikszáth Kálmán Square, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, 25-27 Kazinczy Street, Budapest, 1075, Hungary
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4
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Riddle J, Schooler JW. Hierarchical consciousness: the Nested Observer Windows model. Neurosci Conscious 2024; 2024:niae010. [PMID: 38504828 PMCID: PMC10949963 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Foremost in our experience is the intuition that we possess a unified conscious experience. However, many observations run counter to this intuition: we experience paralyzing indecision when faced with two appealing behavioral choices, we simultaneously hold contradictory beliefs, and the content of our thought is often characterized by an internal debate. Here, we propose the Nested Observer Windows (NOW) Model, a framework for hierarchical consciousness wherein information processed across many spatiotemporal scales of the brain feeds into subjective experience. The model likens the mind to a hierarchy of nested mosaic tiles-where an image is composed of mosaic tiles, and each of these tiles is itself an image composed of mosaic tiles. Unitary consciousness exists at the apex of this nested hierarchy where perceptual constructs become fully integrated and complex behaviors are initiated via abstract commands. We define an observer window as a spatially and temporally constrained system within which information is integrated, e.g. in functional brain regions and neurons. Three principles from the signal analysis of electrical activity describe the nested hierarchy and generate testable predictions. First, nested observer windows disseminate information across spatiotemporal scales with cross-frequency coupling. Second, observer windows are characterized by a high degree of internal synchrony (with zero phase lag). Third, observer windows at the same spatiotemporal level share information with each other through coherence (with non-zero phase lag). The theoretical framework of the NOW Model accounts for a wide range of subjective experiences and a novel approach for integrating prominent theories of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W Call St, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
| | - Jonathan W Schooler
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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5
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Apablaza-Yevenes DE, Corsi-Cabrera M, Martinez-Guerrero A, Northoff G, Romaniello C, Farinelli M, Bertoletti E, Müller MF, Muñoz-Torres Z. Stationary stable cross-correlation pattern and task specific deviations in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome as well as clinically healthy subjects. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300075. [PMID: 38489260 PMCID: PMC10942032 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain dynamics is highly non-stationary, permanently subject to ever-changing external conditions and continuously monitoring and adjusting internal control mechanisms. Finding stationary structures in this system, as has been done recently, is therefore of great importance for understanding fundamental dynamic trade relationships. Here we analyse electroencephalographic recordings (EEG) of 13 subjects with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) during rest and while being influenced by different acoustic stimuli. We compare the results with a control group under the same experimental conditions and with clinically healthy subjects during overnight sleep. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether a stationary correlation pattern is also present in the UWS group, and if so, to what extent this structure resembles the one found in healthy subjects. Furthermore, we extract transient dynamical features via specific deviations from the stationary interrelation pattern. We find that (i) the UWS group is more heterogeneous than the two groups of healthy subjects, (ii) also the EEGs of the UWS group contain a stationary cross-correlation pattern, although it is less pronounced and shows less similarity to that found for healthy subjects and (iii) deviations from the stationary pattern are notably larger for the UWS than for the two groups of healthy subjects. The results suggest that the nervous system of subjects with UWS receive external stimuli but show an overreaching reaction to them, which may disturb opportune information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Apablaza-Yevenes
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Morelos, México
| | - María Corsi-Cabrera
- Unidad de Investigación en Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | | | - Georg Northoff
- Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | | | | | | | - Markus F. Müller
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad (C3), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Morelos, México
- Centro Internacional de Ciencias A.C., Morelos, México
| | - Zeidy Muñoz-Torres
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad (C3), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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6
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Kraikivski P. A Mechanistic Model of Perceptual Binding Predicts That Binding Mechanism Is Robust against Noise. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 26:133. [PMID: 38392388 PMCID: PMC10888151 DOI: 10.3390/e26020133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The concept of the brain's own time and space is central to many models and theories that aim to explain how the brain generates consciousness. For example, the temporo-spatial theory of consciousness postulates that the brain implements its own inner time and space for conscious processing of the outside world. Furthermore, our perception and cognition of time and space can be different from actual time and space. This study presents a mechanistic model of mutually connected processes that encode phenomenal representations of space and time. The model is used to elaborate the binding mechanism between two sets of processes representing internal space and time, respectively. Further, a stochastic version of the model is developed to investigate the interplay between binding strength and noise. Spectral entropy is used to characterize noise effects on the systems of interacting processes when the binding strength between them is varied. The stochastic modeling results reveal that the spectral entropy values for strongly bound systems are similar to those for weakly bound or even decoupled systems. Thus, the analysis performed in this study allows us to conclude that the binding mechanism is noise-resilient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Kraikivski
- Division of Systems Biology, Academy of Integrated Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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7
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Ao Y, Catal Y, Lechner S, Hua J, Northoff G. Intrinsic neural timescales relate to the dynamics of infraslow neural waves. Neuroimage 2024; 285:120482. [PMID: 38043840 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is a highly dynamic organ that operates across a variety of timescales, the intrinsic neural timescales (INT). In addition to the INT, the neural waves featured by its phase-related processes including their cycles with peak/trough and rise/fall play a key role in shaping the brain's neural activity. However, the relationship between the brain's ongoing wave dynamics and INT remains yet unclear. In this study, we utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) rest and task data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to investigate the relationship of infraslow wave dynamics [as measured in terms of speed by changes in its peak frequency (PF)] with INT. Our findings reveal that: (i) the speed of phase dynamics (PF) is associated with distinct parts of the ongoing phase cycles, namely higher PF in peak/trough and lower PF in rise/fall; (ii) there exists a negative correlation between phase dynamics (PF) and INT such that slower PF relates to longer INT; (iii) exposure to a movie alters both PF and INT across the different phase cycles, yet their negative correlation remains intact. Collectively, our results demonstrate that INT relates to infraslow phase dynamics during both rest and task states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Ao
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Yasir Catal
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Stephan Lechner
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Research Group Neuroinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; Vienna Doctoral School Cognition, Behavior and Neuroscience, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jingyu Hua
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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8
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de Matos NMP, Staempfli P, Seifritz E, Preller K, Bruegger M. Investigating functional brain connectivity patterns associated with two hypnotic states. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1286336. [PMID: 38192504 PMCID: PMC10773817 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1286336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
While there's been clinical success and growing research interest in hypnosis, neurobiological underpinnings induced by hypnosis remain unclear. In this fMRI study (which is part of a larger hypnosis project) with 50 hypnosis-experienced participants, we analyzed neural and physiological responses during two hypnosis states, comparing them to non-hypnotic control conditions and to each other. An unbiased whole-brain analysis (multi-voxel- pattern analysis, MVPA), pinpointed key neural hubs in parieto-occipital-temporal areas, cuneal/precuneal and occipital cortices, lingual gyri, and the occipital pole. Comparing directly both hypnotic states revealed depth-dependent connectivity changes, notably in left superior temporal/supramarginal gyri, cuneus, planum temporale, and lingual gyri. Multi-voxel- pattern analysis (MVPA) based seeds were implemented in a seed-to-voxel analysis unveiling region-specific increases and decreases in functional connectivity patterns. Physiologically, the respiration rate significantly slowed during hypnosis. Summarized, these findings foster fresh insights into hypnosis-induced functional connectivity changes and illuminate further knowledge related with the neurobiology of altered consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno M. P. de Matos
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Staempfli
- MR-Center of the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Preller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mike Bruegger
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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9
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Le Bihan D. From Black Holes Entropy to Consciousness: The Dimensions of the Brain Connectome. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:1645. [PMID: 38136525 PMCID: PMC10743094 DOI: 10.3390/e25121645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
It has been shown that the theory of relativity can be applied physically to the functioning brain, so that the brain connectome should be considered as a four-dimensional spacetime entity curved by brain activity, just as gravity curves the four-dimensional spacetime of the physical world. Following the most recent developments in modern theoretical physics (black hole entropy, holographic principle, AdS/CFT duality), we conjecture that consciousness can naturally emerge from this four-dimensional brain connectome when a fifth dimension is considered, in the same way that gravity emerges from a 'flat' four-dimensional quantum world, without gravitation, present at the boundaries of a five-dimensional spacetime. This vision makes it possible to envisage quantitative signatures of consciousness based on the entropy of the connectome and the curvature of spacetime estimated from data obtained by fMRI in the resting state (nodal activity and functional connectivity) and constrained by the anatomical connectivity derived from diffusion tensor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Le Bihan
- NeuroSpin, Frédéric Joliot Institute for Life Sciences (Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, CEA), Centre d’Études de Saclay, Paris-Saclay University, Bâtiment 145, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France;
- Human Brain Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Department of System Neuroscience, National Institutes for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
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10
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Scalabrini A, De Amicis M, Brugnera A, Cavicchioli M, Çatal Y, Keskin K, Pilar JG, Zhang J, Osipova B, Compare A, Greco A, Benedetti F, Mucci C, Northoff G. The self and our perception of its synchrony - Beyond internal and external cognition. Conscious Cogn 2023; 116:103600. [PMID: 37976779 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2023.103600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The self is the core of our mental life which connects one's inner mental life with the external perception. Since synchrony is a key feature of the biological world and its various species, what role does it play for humans? We conducted a large-scale psychological study (n = 1072) combining newly developed visual analogue scales (VAS) for the perception of synchrony and internal and external cognition complemented by several psychological questionnaires. Overall, our findings showed close connection of the perception of synchrony of the self with both internal (i.e., body and cognition) and external (i.e., others, environment/nature) synchrony being associated positively with adaptive and negatively with maladaptive traits of self. Moreover, we have demonstrated how external (i.e., life events like the COVID-19 pandemic) variables modulate the perception of the self's internal-external synchrony. These findings suggest how synchrony with self plays a central role during times of uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scalabrini
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
| | | | - Agostino Brugnera
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Yasir Çatal
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, 145 Carling Avenue, Rm. 6435, Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Kaan Keskin
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 35100 Bornova-İzmir, Turkey
| | - Javier Gomez Pilar
- Biomedical Engineering Group, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER‑BBN), Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jianfeng Zhang
- Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bella Osipova
- Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE)
| | - Angelo Compare
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Andrea Greco
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Francesco Benedetti
- University Vita- Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Mucci
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Georg Northoff
- University Vita- Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, 145 Carling Avenue, Rm. 6435, Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 7K4, Canada; Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Tianmu Road 305, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310013, China; Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Tianmu Road 305, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310013, China.
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11
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Stefanelli R. Theories of consciousness and psychiatric disorders - A comparative analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105204. [PMID: 37127069 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Disorders of consciousness represent an efficient way to test theories of consciousness' (ToCs) predictions. So far, ToCs have mostly focused on disorders of quantitative awareness such as coma, vegetative state, spatial neglect and hemianopia. Psychiatric disorders, by contrast, have received little attention, leaving their contribution to consciousness research almost unexplored. Therefore, this paper aims to assess the relation between ToCs and psychiatric disorders - that is, the extent to which current ToCs can account for psychiatric symptomatology. First, I review direct and indirect evidence linking each ToC to psychiatry disorders. Next, I differentiate ToCs based on their theoretical and methodological ground, highlighting how they distinctively address neural, cognitive, and phenomenological aspects of conscious experience and, in turn, psychiatric symptoms. Finally, I refer to one specific symptom to directly compare ToCs' explanatory power. Overall, Temporospatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC) appears to provide a more comprehensive account of psychiatric disorders, suggesting that a novel dimension of consciousness (i.e., form of consciousness) may be needed to address more qualitative alterations in conscious experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Stefanelli
- Research Master in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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12
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Kent L. Mental Gravity: Depression as Spacetime Curvature of the Self, Mind, and Brain. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:1275. [PMID: 37761574 PMCID: PMC10528036 DOI: 10.3390/e25091275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The principle of mental gravity contends that the mind uses physical gravity as a mental model or simulacrum to express the relation between the inner self and the outer world in terms of "UP"-ness and "DOWN"-ness. The simulation of increased gravity characterises a continuum of mental gravity which states includes depression as the paradigmatic example of being down, low, heavy, and slow. The physics of gravity can also be used to model spacetime curvature in depression, particularly gravitational time dilation as a property of MG analogous to subjective time dilation (i.e., the slowing of temporal flow in conscious experience). The principle has profound implications for the Temporo-spatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC) with regard to temporo-spatial alignment that establishes a "world-brain relation" that is centred on embodiment and the socialisation of conscious states. The principle of mental gravity provides the TTC with a way to incorporate the structure of the world into the structure of the brain, conscious experience, and thought. In concert with other theories of cognitive and neurobiological spacetime, the TTC can also work towards the "common currency" approach that also potentially connects the TTC to predictive processing frameworks such as free energy, neuronal gauge theories, and active inference accounts of depression. It gives the up/down dimension of space, as defined by the gravitational field, a unique status that is connected to both our embodied interaction with the physical world, and also the inverse, reflective, emotional but still embodied experience of ourselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan Kent
- Mental Wellbeing Initiatives, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
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13
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Zilio F, Gomez-Pilar J, Chaudhary U, Fogel S, Fomina T, Synofzik M, Schöls L, Cao S, Zhang J, Huang Z, Birbaumer N, Northoff G. Altered brain dynamics index levels of arousal in complete locked-in syndrome. Commun Biol 2023; 6:757. [PMID: 37474587 PMCID: PMC10359418 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05109-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Complete locked-in syndrome (CLIS) resulting from late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterised by loss of motor function and eye movements. The absence of behavioural indicators of consciousness makes the search for neuronal correlates as possible biomarkers clinically and ethically urgent. EEG-based measures of brain dynamics such as power-law exponent (PLE) and Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC) have been shown to have explanatory power for consciousness and may provide such neuronal indices for patients with CLIS. Here, we validated PLE and LZC (calculated in a dynamic way) as benchmarks of a wide range of arousal states across different reference states of consciousness (e.g., awake, sleep stages, ketamine, sevoflurane). We show a tendency toward high PLE and low LZC, with high intra-subject fluctuations and inter-subject variability in a cohort of CLIS patients with values graded along different arousal states as in our reference data sets. In conclusion, changes in brain dynamics indicate altered arousal in CLIS. Specifically, PLE and LZC are potentially relevant biomarkers to identify or diagnose the arousal level in CLIS and to determine the optimal time point for treatment, including communication attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Zilio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Javier Gomez-Pilar
- Biomedical Engineering Group, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ujwal Chaudhary
- BrainPortal Technologies GmbH, Mannheim, Germany
- ALS Voice gGmbH, Mössingen, Germany
| | - Stuart Fogel
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Tatiana Fomina
- Department for Empirical Inference, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ludger Schöls
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shumei Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zirui Huang
- Center for Consciousness Science, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Niels Birbaumer
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Georg Northoff
- Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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14
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Buccellato A, Çatal Y, Bisiacchi P, Zang D, Zilio F, Wang Z, Qi Z, Zheng R, Xu Z, Wu X, Del Felice A, Mao Y, Northoff G. Probing Intrinsic Neural Timescales in EEG with an Information-Theory Inspired Approach: Permutation Entropy Time Delay Estimation (PE-TD). ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:1086. [PMID: 37510033 PMCID: PMC10378026 DOI: 10.3390/e25071086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Time delays are a signature of many physical systems, including the brain, and considerably shape their dynamics; moreover, they play a key role in consciousness, as postulated by the temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC). However, they are often not known a priori and need to be estimated from time series. In this study, we propose the use of permutation entropy (PE) to estimate time delays from neural time series as a more robust alternative to the widely used autocorrelation window (ACW). In the first part, we demonstrate the validity of this approach on synthetic neural data, and we show its resistance to regimes of nonstationarity in time series. Mirroring yet another example of comparable behavior between different nonlinear systems, permutation entropy-time delay estimation (PE-TD) is also able to measure intrinsic neural timescales (INTs) (temporal windows of neural activity at rest) from hd-EEG human data; additionally, this replication extends to the abnormal prolongation of INT values in disorders of consciousness (DoCs). Surprisingly, the correlation between ACW-0 and PE-TD decreases in a state-dependent manner when consciousness is lost, hinting at potential different regimes of nonstationarity and nonlinearity in conscious/unconscious states, consistent with many current theoretical frameworks on consciousness. In summary, we demonstrate the validity of PE-TD as a tool to extract relevant time scales from neural data; furthermore, given the divergence between ACW and PE-TD specific to DoC subjects, we hint at its potential use for the characterization of conscious states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Buccellato
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Via Orus 2/B, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Yasir Çatal
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 145 Carling Avenue, Rm. 6435, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Patrizia Bisiacchi
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Via Orus 2/B, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Di Zang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Federico Zilio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato, 3, 35139 Padova, Italy
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zengxin Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Ruizhe Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zeyu Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xuehai Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Alessandra Del Felice
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Via Orus 2/B, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Neurology, University of Padova, Via Belzoni, 160, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
- Neurosurgical Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Georg Northoff
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 145 Carling Avenue, Rm. 6435, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310013, China
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15
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Huang Z. Temporospatial Nestedness in Consciousness: An Updated Perspective on the Temporospatial Theory of Consciousness. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:1074. [PMID: 37510023 PMCID: PMC10378228 DOI: 10.3390/e25071074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Time and space are fundamental elements that permeate the fabric of nature, and their significance in relation to neural activity and consciousness remains a compelling yet unexplored area of research. The Temporospatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC) provides a framework that links time, space, neural activity, and consciousness, shedding light on the intricate relationships among these dimensions. In this review, I revisit the fundamental concepts and mechanisms proposed by the TTC, with a particular focus on the central concept of temporospatial nestedness. I propose an extension of temporospatial nestedness by incorporating the nested relationship between the temporal circuit and functional geometry of the brain. To further unravel the complexities of temporospatial nestedness, future research directions should emphasize the characterization of functional geometry and the temporal circuit across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Investigating the links between these scales will yield a more comprehensive understanding of how spatial organization and temporal dynamics contribute to conscious states. This integrative approach holds the potential to uncover novel insights into the neural basis of consciousness and reshape our understanding of the world-brain dynamic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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16
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Northoff G, Klar P, Bein M, Safron A. As without, so within: how the brain's temporo-spatial alignment to the environment shapes consciousness. Interface Focus 2023; 13:20220076. [PMID: 37065263 PMCID: PMC10102730 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2022.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Consciousness is constituted by a structure that includes contents as foreground and the environment as background. This structural relation between the experiential foreground and background presupposes a relationship between the brain and the environment, often neglected in theories of consciousness. The temporo-spatial theory of consciousness addresses the brain-environment relation by a concept labelled 'temporo-spatial alignment'. Briefly, temporo-spatial alignment refers to the brain's neuronal activity's interaction with and adaption to interoceptive bodily and exteroceptive environmental stimuli, including their symmetry as key for consciousness. Combining theory and empirical data, this article attempts to demonstrate the yet unclear neuro-phenomenal mechanisms of temporo-spatial alignment. First, we suggest three neuronal layers of the brain's temporo-spatial alignment to the environment. These neuronal layers span across a continuum from longer to shorter timescales. (i) The background layer comprises longer and more powerful timescales mediating topographic-dynamic similarities between different subjects' brains. (ii) The intermediate layer includes a mixture of medium-scaled timescales allowing for stochastic matching between environmental inputs and neuronal activity through the brain's intrinsic neuronal timescales and temporal receptive windows. (iii) The foreground layer comprises shorter and less powerful timescales for neuronal entrainment of stimuli temporal onset through neuronal phase shifting and resetting. Second, we elaborate on how the three neuronal layers of temporo-spatial alignment correspond to their respective phenomenal layers of consciousness. (i) The inter-subjectively shared contextual background of consciousness. (ii) An intermediate layer that mediates the relationship between different contents of consciousness. (iii) A foreground layer that includes specific fast-changing contents of consciousness. Overall, temporo-spatial alignment may provide a mechanism whose different neuronal layers modulate corresponding phenomenal layers of consciousness. Temporo-spatial alignment can provide a bridging principle for linking physical-energetic (free energy), dynamic (symmetry), neuronal (three layers of distinct time-space scales) and phenomenal (form featured by background-intermediate-foreground) mechanisms of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, TheRoyal's Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1Z 7K4
- Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Philipp Klar
- Medical Faculty, C. & O. Vogt-Institute for Brain Research, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Magnus Bein
- Department of Biology and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Quebec, Canada H3A 0G4
| | - Adam Safron
- Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Cognitive Science Program, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
- Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA
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17
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Yurchenko SB. A systematic approach to brain dynamics: cognitive evolution theory of consciousness. Cogn Neurodyn 2023; 17:575-603. [PMID: 37265655 PMCID: PMC10229528 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-022-09863-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain integrates volition, cognition, and consciousness seamlessly over three hierarchical (scale-dependent) levels of neural activity for their emergence: a causal or 'hard' level, a computational (unconscious) or 'soft' level, and a phenomenal (conscious) or 'psyche' level respectively. The cognitive evolution theory (CET) is based on three general prerequisites: physicalism, dynamism, and emergentism, which entail five consequences about the nature of consciousness: discreteness, passivity, uniqueness, integrity, and graduation. CET starts from the assumption that brains should have primarily evolved as volitional subsystems of organisms, not as prediction machines. This emphasizes the dynamical nature of consciousness in terms of critical dynamics to account for metastability, avalanches, and self-organized criticality of brain processes, then coupling it with volition and cognition in a framework unified over the levels. Consciousness emerges near critical points, and unfolds as a discrete stream of momentary states, each volitionally driven from oldest subcortical arousal systems. The stream is the brain's way of making a difference via predictive (Bayesian) processing. Its objective observables could be complexity measures reflecting levels of consciousness and its dynamical coherency to reveal how much knowledge (information gain) the brain acquires over the stream. CET also proposes a quantitative classification of both disorders of consciousness and mental disorders within that unified framework.
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18
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Klar P, Çatal Y, Langner R, Huang Z, Northoff G. Scale-free dynamics in the core-periphery topography and task alignment decline from conscious to unconscious states. Commun Biol 2023; 6:499. [PMID: 37161021 PMCID: PMC10170069 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04879-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Scale-free physiological processes are ubiquitous in the human organism. Resting-state functional MRI studies observed the loss of scale-free dynamics under anesthesia. In contrast, the modulation of scale-free dynamics during task-related activity remains an open question. We investigate scale-free dynamics in the cerebral cortex's unimodal periphery and transmodal core topography in rest and task states during three conscious levels (awake, sedation, and anesthesia) complemented by computational modelling (Stuart-Landau model). The empirical findings demonstrate that the loss of the brain's intrinsic scale-free dynamics in the core-periphery topography during anesthesia, where pink noise transforms into white noise, disrupts the brain's neuronal alignment with the task's temporal structure. The computational model shows that the stimuli's scale-free dynamics, namely pink noise distinguishes from brown and white noise, also modulate task-related activity. Together, we provide evidence for two mechanisms of consciousness, temporo-spatial nestedness and alignment, suggested by the Temporo-Spatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Klar
- Medical Faculty, C. & O. Vogt-Institute for Brain Research, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Yasir Çatal
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, 145 Carling Avenue, Rm. 6435, Ottawa, ON, K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Robert Langner
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Zirui Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Georg Northoff
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, 145 Carling Avenue, Rm. 6435, Ottawa, ON, K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Tianmu Road 305, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
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19
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Zilio F, Lavazza A. Consciousness in a Rotor? Science and Ethics of Potentially Conscious Human Cerebral Organoids. AJOB Neurosci 2023; 14:178-196. [PMID: 36794285 DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2023.2173329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Human cerebral organoids are three-dimensional biological cultures grown in the laboratory to mimic as closely as possible the cellular composition, structure, and function of the corresponding organ, the brain. For now, cerebral organoids lack blood vessels and other characteristics of the human brain, but are also capable of having coordinated electrical activity. They have been usefully employed for the study of several diseases and the development of the nervous system in unprecedented ways. Research on human cerebral organoids is proceeding at a very fast pace and their complexity is bound to improve. This raises the question of whether cerebral organoids will also be able to develop the unique feature of the human brain, consciousness. If this is the case, some ethical issues would arise. In this article, we discuss the necessary neural correlates and constraints for the emergence of consciousness according to some of the most debated neuroscientific theories. Based on this, we consider what the moral status of a potentially conscious brain organoid might be, in light of ethical and ontological arguments. We conclude by proposing a precautionary principle and some leads for further investigation. In particular, we consider the outcomes of some very recent experiments as entities of a potential new kind.
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20
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Northoff G, Scalabrini A, Fogel S. Topographic-dynamic reorganisation model of dreams (TRoD) - A spatiotemporal approach. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 148:105117. [PMID: 36870584 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Dreams are one of the most bizarre and least understood states of consciousness. Bridging the gap between brain and phenomenology of (un)conscious experience, we propose the Topographic-dynamic Re-organization model of Dreams (TRoD). Topographically, dreams are characterized by a shift towards increased activity and connectivity in the default-mode network (DMN) while they are reduced in the central executive network, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (except in lucid dreaming). This topographic re-organization is accompanied by dynamic changes; a shift towards slower frequencies and longer timescales. This puts dreams dynamically in an intermediate position between awake state and NREM 2/SWS sleep. TRoD proposes that the shift towards DMN and slower frequencies leads to an abnormal spatiotemporal framing of input processing including both internally- and externally-generated inputs (from body and environment). In dreams, a shift away from temporal segregation to temporal integration of inputs results in the often bizarre and highly self-centric mental contents as well as hallucinatory-like states. We conclude that topography and temporal dynamics are core features of the TroD, which may provide the connection of neural and mental activity, e.g., brain and experience during dreams as their "common currency".
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Northoff
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Neural Dynamics, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Andrea Scalabrini
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
| | - Stuart Fogel
- Sleep and Neuroscience, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Brain and Mind Research Institute and Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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21
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Mendez MF. A Functional and Neuroanatomical Model of Dehumanization. Cogn Behav Neurol 2023; 36:42-47. [PMID: 36149395 PMCID: PMC9991937 DOI: 10.1097/wnn.0000000000000316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The dehumanization of others is a major scourge of mankind; however, despite its significance, physicians have little understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms for this behavior. We can learn much about dehumanization from its brain-behavior localization and its manifestations in people with brain disorders. Dehumanization as an act of denying to others human qualities includes two major forms. Animalistic dehumanization (also called infrahumanization) results from increased inhibition of prepotent tendencies for emotional feelings and empathy for others. The mechanism may be increased activity in the inferior frontal gyrus. In contrast, mechanistic dehumanization results from a loss of perception of basic human nature and decreased mind-attribution. The mechanism may be hypofunction of a mentalization network centered in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and adjacent subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. Whereas developmental factors may promote animalistic dehumanization, brain disorders, such as frontotemporal dementia, primarily promote mechanistic dehumanization. The consideration of these two processes as distinct, with different neurobiological origins, could help guide efforts to mitigate expression of this behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario F. Mendez
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Neurology Service, Neurobehavior Unit, V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
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22
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Kanaev IA. Entropy and Cross-Level Orderliness in Light of the Interconnection between the Neural System and Consciousness. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:418. [PMID: 36981307 PMCID: PMC10047885 DOI: 10.3390/e25030418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances, the origin and utility of consciousness remains under debate. Using an evolutionary perspective on the origin of consciousness, this review elaborates on the promising theoretical background suggested in the temporospatial theory of consciousness, which outlines world-brain alignment as a critical predisposition for controlling behavior and adaptation. Such a system can be evolutionarily effective only if it can provide instant cohesion between the subsystems, which is possible only if it performs an intrinsic activity modified in light of the incoming stimulation. One can assume that the world-brain interaction results in a particular interference pattern predetermined by connectome complexity. This is what organisms experience as their exclusive subjective state, allowing the anticipation of regularities in the environment. Thus, an anticipative system can emerge only in a regular environment, which guides natural selection by reinforcing corresponding reactions and decreasing the system entropy. Subsequent evolution requires complicated, layered structures and can be traced from simple organisms to human consciousness and society. This allows us to consider the mode of entropy as a subject of natural evolution rather than an individual entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya A Kanaev
- Department of Philosophy, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Rd, Guangzhou 510275, China
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23
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de la Fuente LA, Zamberlan F, Bocaccio H, Kringelbach M, Deco G, Perl YS, Pallavicini C, Tagliazucchi E. Temporal irreversibility of neural dynamics as a signature of consciousness. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:1856-1865. [PMID: 35512291 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissipative systems evolve in the preferred temporal direction indicated by the thermodynamic arrow of time. The fundamental nature of this temporal asymmetry led us to hypothesize its presence in the neural activity evoked by conscious perception of the physical world, and thus its covariance with the level of conscious awareness. We implemented a data-driven deep learning framework to decode the temporal inversion of electrocorticography signals acquired from non-human primates. Brain activity time series recorded during conscious wakefulness could be distinguished from their inverted counterparts with high accuracy, both using frequency and phase information. However, classification accuracy was reduced for data acquired during deep sleep and under ketamine-induced anesthesia; moreover, the predictions obtained from multiple independent neural networks were less consistent for sleep and anesthesia than for conscious wakefulness. Finally, the analysis of feature importance scores highlighted transitions between slow ($\approx$20 Hz) and fast frequencies (>40 Hz) as the main contributors to the temporal asymmetry observed during conscious wakefulness. Our results show that a preferred temporal direction is manifest in the neural activity evoked by conscious mentation and in the phenomenology of the passage of time, establishing common ground to tackle the relationship between brain and subjective experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Alethia de la Fuente
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.,Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience, INECO Foundation, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires 1058, Argentina.,National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Federico Zamberlan
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.,National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina.,Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence Department, Tilburg University, Tilburg 5000, The Netherlands
| | - Hernán Bocaccio
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.,National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Morten Kringelbach
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford OX1, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3, UK.,Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University 8000, DK
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08018, Spain.,Institució Catalana de la Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona 08010, Spain.,Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig 04103, Germany.,School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Yonatan Sanz Perl
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.,Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08018, Spain
| | - Carla Pallavicini
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.,National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Enzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.,National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina.,Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Santiago 7910000, Chile
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24
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Zang D, Zhao X, Qiao Y, Huo J, Wu X, Wang Z, Xu Z, Zheng R, Qi Z, Mao Y, Zhang L. Enhanced brain parcellation via abnormality inpainting for neuroimage-based consciousness evaluation of hydrocephalus patients by lumbar drainage. Brain Inform 2023; 10:3. [PMID: 36656455 PMCID: PMC9852379 DOI: 10.1186/s40708-022-00181-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain network analysis based on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered as an effective method for consciousness evaluation of hydrocephalus patients, which can also be applied to facilitate the ameliorative effect of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage (LCFD). Automatic brain parcellation is a prerequisite for brain network construction. However, hydrocephalus images usually have large deformations and lesion erosions, which becomes challenging for ensuring effective brain parcellation works. In this paper, we develop a novel and robust method for segmenting brain regions of hydrocephalus images. Our main contribution is to design an innovative inpainting method that can amend the large deformations and lesion erosions in hydrocephalus images, and synthesize the normal brain version without injury. The synthesized images can effectively support brain parcellation tasks and lay the foundation for the subsequent brain network construction work. Specifically, the novelty of the inpainting method is that it can utilize the symmetric properties of the brain structure to ensure the quality of the synthesized results. Experiments show that the proposed brain abnormality inpainting method can effectively aid the brain network construction, and improve the CRS-R score estimation which represents the patient's consciousness states. Furthermore, the brain network analysis based on our enhanced brain parcellation method has demonstrated potential imaging biomarkers for better interpreting and understanding the recovery of consciousness in patients with secondary hydrocephalus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zang
- grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Xiangyu Zhao
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Yuanfang Qiao
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Jiayu Huo
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Xuehai Wu
- grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Zhe Wang
- grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Zeyu Xu
- grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Ruizhe Zheng
- grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Zengxin Qi
- grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Ying Mao
- grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.411405.50000 0004 1757 8861Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Lichi Zhang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 China
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25
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Ruan Z. The fundamental challenge of a future theory of consciousness. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1029105. [PMID: 36710768 PMCID: PMC9878380 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1029105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zenan Ruan
- Zhejiang University—University of Luxembourg Joint Laboratory on AIs, Robotics and Reasoning (ZLAIRE), School of Philosophy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Philosophy of Science and Technology, School of Philosophy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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26
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Buccellato A, Zang D, Zilio F, Gomez-Pilar J, Wang Z, Qi Z, Zheng R, Xu Z, Wu X, Bisiacchi P, Felice AD, Mao Y, Northoff G. Disrupted relationship between intrinsic neural timescales and alpha peak frequency during unconscious states - A high-density EEG study. Neuroimage 2023; 265:119802. [PMID: 36503159 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our brain processes the different timescales of our environment's temporal input stochastics. Is such a temporal input processing mechanism key for consciousness? To address this research question, we calculated measures of input processing on shorter (alpha peak frequency, APF) and longer (autocorrelation window, ACW) timescales on resting-state high-density EEG (256 channels) recordings and compared them across different consciousness levels (awake/conscious, ketamine and sevoflurane anaesthesia, unresponsive wakefulness, minimally conscious state). We replicate and extend previous findings of: (i) significantly longer ACW values, consistently over all states of unconsciousness, as measured with ACW-0 (an unprecedented longer version of the well-know ACW-50); (ii) significantly slower APF values, as measured with frequency sliding, in all four unconscious states. Most importantly, we report a highly significant correlation of ACW-0 and APF in the conscious state, while their relationship is disrupted in the unconscious states. In sum, we demonstrate the relevance of the brain's capacity for input processing on shorter (APF) and longer (ACW) timescales - including their relationship - for consciousness. Albeit indirectly, e.g., through the analysis of electrophysiological activity at rest, this supports the mechanism of temporo-spatial alignment to the environment's temporal input stochastics, through relating different neural timescales, as one key predisposing factor of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Buccellato
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Di Zang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University,Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Federico Zilio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Javier Gomez-Pilar
- Biomedical Engineering Group, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 15, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, (CIBER-BBN), Valladolid, Spain
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University,Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zengxin Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University,Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Ruizhe Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University,Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zeyu Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University,Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xuehai Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University,Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Patrizia Bisiacchi
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Del Felice
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University,Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1Z7K4, Canada; Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China; Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China.
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27
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Klar P, Çatal Y, Langner R, Huang Z, Northoff G. Scale-free dynamics of core-periphery topography. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:1997-2017. [PMID: 36579661 PMCID: PMC9980897 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain's cerebral cortex exhibits a topographic division into higher-order transmodal core and lower-order unimodal periphery regions. While timescales between the core and periphery region diverge, features of their power spectra, especially scale-free dynamics during resting-state and their mdulation in task states, remain unclear. To answer this question, we investigated the ~1/f-like pink noise manifestation of scale-free dynamics in the core-periphery topography during rest and task states applying infra-slow inter-trial intervals up to 1 min falling inside the BOLD's infra-slow frequency band. The results demonstrate (1) higher resting-state power-law exponent (PLE) in the core compared to the periphery region; (2) significant PLE increases in task across the core and periphery regions; and (3) task-related PLE increases likely followed the task's atypically low event rates, namely the task's periodicity (inter-trial interval = 52-60 s; 0.016-0.019 Hz). A computational model and a replication dataset that used similar infra-slow inter-trial intervals provide further support for our main findings. Altogether, the results show that scale-free dynamics differentiate core and periphery regions in the resting-state and mediate task-related effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Klar
- Medical Faculty, C. & O. Vogt‐Institute for Brain ResearchHeinrich Heine University of DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Yasir Çatal
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Robert Langner
- Institute of Systems NeuroscienceHeinrich Heine University DusseldorfDusseldorfGermany,Institute of Neuroscience and MedicineBrain & Behaviour (INM‐7), Research Centre JülichJülichGermany
| | - Zirui Huang
- Department of AnesthesiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA,Center for Consciousness ScienceUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Georg Northoff
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada,Centre for Cognition and Brain DisordersHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
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28
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Zhang J, Northoff G. Beyond noise to function: reframing the global brain activity and its dynamic topography. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1350. [PMID: 36481785 PMCID: PMC9732046 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04297-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
How global and local activity interact with each other is a common question in complex systems like climate and economy. Analogously, the brain too displays 'global' activity that interacts with local-regional activity and modulates behavior. The brain's global activity, investigated as global signal in fMRI, so far, has mainly been conceived as non-neuronal noise. We here review the findings from healthy and clinical populations to demonstrate the neural basis and functions of global signal to brain and behavior. We show that global signal (i) is closely coupled with physiological signals and modulates the arousal level; and (ii) organizes an elaborated dynamic topography and coordinates the different forms of cognition. We also postulate a Dual-Layer Model including both background and surface layers. Together, the latest evidence strongly suggests the need to go beyond the view of global signal as noise by embracing a dual-layer model with background and surface layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Zhang
- grid.263488.30000 0001 0472 9649Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China ,grid.263488.30000 0001 0472 9649School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Georg Northoff
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XMental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China ,grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada ,grid.410595.c0000 0001 2230 9154Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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29
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Fernández-Rubio G, Brattico E, Kotz SA, Kringelbach ML, Vuust P, Bonetti L. Magnetoencephalography recordings reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of recognition memory for complex versus simple auditory sequences. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1272. [PMID: 36402843 PMCID: PMC9675809 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04217-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Auditory recognition is a crucial cognitive process that relies on the organization of single elements over time. However, little is known about the spatiotemporal dynamics underlying the conscious recognition of auditory sequences varying in complexity. To study this, we asked 71 participants to learn and recognize simple tonal musical sequences and matched complex atonal sequences while their brain activity was recorded using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Results reveal qualitative changes in neural activity dependent on stimulus complexity: recognition of tonal sequences engages hippocampal and cingulate areas, whereas recognition of atonal sequences mainly activates the auditory processing network. Our findings reveal the involvement of a cortico-subcortical brain network for auditory recognition and support the idea that stimulus complexity qualitatively alters the neural pathways of recognition memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Fernández-Rubio
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elvira Brattico
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.7644.10000 0001 0120 3326Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Sonja A. Kotz
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Morten L. Kringelbach
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Vuust
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Leonardo Bonetti
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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30
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Coppola P, Allanson J, Naci L, Adapa R, Finoia P, Williams GB, Pickard JD, Owen AM, Menon DK, Stamatakis EA. The complexity of the stream of consciousness. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1173. [PMID: 36329176 PMCID: PMC9633704 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04109-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Typical consciousness can be defined as an individual-specific stream of experiences. Modern consciousness research on dynamic functional connectivity uses clustering techniques to create common bases on which to compare different individuals. We propose an alternative approach by combining modern theories of consciousness and insights arising from phenomenology and dynamical systems theory. This approach enables a representation of an individual's connectivity dynamics in an intrinsically-defined, individual-specific landscape. Given the wealth of evidence relating functional connectivity to experiential states, we assume this landscape is a proxy measure of an individual's stream of consciousness. By investigating the properties of this landscape in individuals in different states of consciousness, we show that consciousness is associated with short term transitions that are less predictable, quicker, but, on average, more constant. We also show that temporally-specific connectivity states are less easily describable by network patterns that are distant in time, suggesting a richer space of possible states. We show that the cortex, cerebellum and subcortex all display consciousness-relevant dynamics and discuss the implication of our results in forming a point of contact between dynamical systems interpretations and phenomenology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Coppola
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Judith Allanson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Neurosciences, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lorina Naci
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Lloyd Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ram Adapa
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paola Finoia
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Neurosurgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Guy B Williams
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John D Pickard
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Neurosurgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adrian M Owen
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, N6A 5B7 University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - David K Menon
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emmanuel A Stamatakis
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
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31
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Arkhipov A. Non-Separability of Physical Systems as a Foundation of Consciousness. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 24:1539. [PMID: 36359629 PMCID: PMC9689906 DOI: 10.3390/e24111539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A hypothesis is presented that non-separability of degrees of freedom is the fundamental property underlying consciousness in physical systems. The amount of consciousness in a system is determined by the extent of non-separability and the number of degrees of freedom involved. Non-interacting and feedforward systems have zero consciousness, whereas most systems of interacting particles appear to have low non-separability and consciousness. By contrast, brain circuits exhibit high complexity and weak but tightly coordinated interactions, which appear to support high non-separability and therefore high amount of consciousness. The hypothesis applies to both classical and quantum cases, and we highlight the formalism employing the Wigner function (which in the classical limit becomes the Liouville density function) as a potentially fruitful framework for characterizing non-separability and, thus, the amount of consciousness in a system. The hypothesis appears to be consistent with both the Integrated Information Theory and the Orchestrated Objective Reduction Theory and may help reconcile the two. It offers a natural explanation for the physical properties underlying the amount of consciousness and points to methods of estimating the amount of non-separability as promising ways of characterizing the amount of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Arkhipov
- MindScope Program, Allen Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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32
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Hsu C, Liu T, Lee D, Yeh D, Chen Y, Liang W, Juan C. Amplitude modulating frequency overrides carrier frequency in tACS-induced phosphene percept. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:914-926. [PMID: 36250439 PMCID: PMC9875935 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The amplitude modulated (AM) neural oscillation is an essential feature of neural dynamics to coordinate distant brain areas. The AM transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has recently been adopted to examine various cognitive functions, but its neural mechanism remains unclear. The current study utilized the phosphene phenomenon to investigate whether, in an AM-tACS, the AM frequency could modulate or even override the carrier frequency in phosphene percept. We measured the phosphene threshold and the perceived flash rate/pattern from 12 human subjects (four females, aged from 20-44 years old) under tACS that paired carrier waves (10, 14, 18, 22 Hz) with different envelope conditions (0, 2, 4 Hz) over the mid-occipital and left facial areas. We also examined the phosphene source by adopting a high-density stimulation montage. Our results revealed that (1) phosphene threshold was higher for AM-tACS than sinusoidal tACS and demonstrated different carrier frequency functions in two stimulation montages. (2) AM-tACS slowed down the phosphene flashing and abolished the relation between the carrier frequency and flash percept in sinusoidal tACS. This effect was independent of the intensity change of the stimulation. (3) Left facial stimulation elicited phosphene in the upper-left visual field, while occipital stimulation elicited equally distributed phosphene. (4) The near-eye electrodermal activity (EDA) measured under the threshold-level occipital tACS was greater than the lowest power sufficient to elicit retinal phosphene. Our results show that AM frequency may override the carrier frequency and determine the perceived flashing frequency of AM-tACS-induced phosphene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che‐Yi Hsu
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and TechnologyNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Tzu‐Ling Liu
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and TechnologyNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan,Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Research CenterNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Dong‐Han Lee
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and TechnologyNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan,Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Research CenterNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Ding‐Ruey Yeh
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and TechnologyNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Yan‐Hsun Chen
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and TechnologyNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan,Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Research CenterNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Wei‐Kuang Liang
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and TechnologyNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan,Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Research CenterNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Hung Juan
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and TechnologyNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan,Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Research CenterNational Central UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan,Department of PsychologyKaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
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33
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Cooper AC, Ventura B, Northoff G. Beyond the veil of duality-topographic reorganization model of meditation. Neurosci Conscious 2022; 2022:niac013. [PMID: 36237370 PMCID: PMC9552929 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation can exert a profound impact on our mental life, with proficient practitioners often reporting an experience free of boundaries between a separate self and the environment, suggesting an explicit experience of "nondual awareness." What are the neural correlates of such experiences and how do they relate to the idea of nondual awareness itself? In order to unravel the effects that meditation has on the brain's spatial topography, we review functional magnetic resonance imaging brain findings from studies specific to an array of meditation types and meditator experience levels. We also review findings from studies that directly probe the interaction between meditation and the experience of the self. The main results are (i) decreased posterior default mode network (DMN) activity, (ii) increased central executive network (CEN) activity, (iii) decreased connectivity within posterior DMN as well as between posterior and anterior DMN, (iv) increased connectivity within the anterior DMN and CEN, and (v) significantly impacted connectivity between the DMN and CEN (likely a nonlinear phenomenon). Together, these suggest a profound organizational shift of the brain's spatial topography in advanced meditators-we therefore propose a topographic reorganization model of meditation (TRoM). One core component of the TRoM is that the topographic reorganization of DMN and CEN is related to a decrease in the mental-self-processing along with a synchronization with the more nondual layers of self-processing, notably interoceptive and exteroceptive-self-processing. This reorganization of the functionality of both brain and self-processing can result in the explicit experience of nondual awareness. In conclusion, this review provides insight into the profound neural effects of advanced meditation and proposes a result-driven unifying model (TRoM) aimed at identifying the inextricably tied objective (neural) and subjective (experiential) effects of meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Clinton Cooper
- Integrated Program of Neuroscience, Room 302, Irving Ludmer Building, 1033 Pine Avenue W., McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Bianca Ventura
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
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34
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Li S, Chen Y, Ren P, Li Z, Zhang J, Liang X. Highly connected and highly variable: A Core brain network during resting state supports Propofol-induced unconsciousness. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:841-853. [PMID: 36217733 PMCID: PMC9842907 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite that leading theories of consciousness make diverging predictions for where and how neural activity gives rise to subjective experience, they all seem to partially agree that the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) require globally integrated brain activity across a network of functionally specialized modules. However, it is not clear yet whether such functional configurations would be able to identify the NCC. We scanned resting-state fMRI data from 21 subjects during wakefulness, propofol-induced sedation, and anesthesia. Graph-theoretical analyses were conducted on awake fMRI data to search for the NCC candidates as brain regions that exhibit both high rich-clubness and high modular variability, which were found to locate in prefrontal and temporoparietal cortices. Another independent data set of 10 highly-sampled subjects was used to validate the NCC distribution at the individual level. Brain module-based dynamic analysis revealed two discrete reoccurring brain states, one of which was dominated by the NCC candidates (state 1), while the other state was predominately composed of primary sensory/motor regions (state 2). Moreover, state 1 appeared to be temporally more stable than state 2, suggesting that the identified NCC members could sustain conscious content as metastable network representations. Finally, we showed that the identified NCC was modulated in terms of functional connectedness and modular variability in response to the loss of consciousness induced by propofol anesthesia. This work offers a framework to search for neural correlates of consciousness by charting the brain network topology and provides new insights into understanding the roles of different regions in underpinning human consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyang Li
- School of Life Science and TechnologyHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina,Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical SciencesHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina
| | - Yali Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Cancer CenterFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Peng Ren
- School of Life Science and TechnologyHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina
| | - Zhipeng Li
- School of Life Science and TechnologyHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina,Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical SciencesHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Cancer CenterFudan UniversityShanghaiChina,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xia Liang
- School of Life Science and TechnologyHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina,Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical SciencesHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina
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35
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Scalabrini A, Mucci C, Northoff G. The nested hierarchy of self and its trauma: In search for a synchronic dynamic and topographical re-organization. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:980353. [PMID: 36118976 PMCID: PMC9478193 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.980353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The sense of self has always been a topic of high interest in both psychoanalysis and most recently in neuroscience. Nowadays, there is an agreement in psychoanalysis that the self emerges from the relationship with the other (e.g., the caregiver) in terms of his/her capacity to attune, regulate, and synchronize with the emergent self of the infant. The outcome of this relational/intersubjective synchronization is the development of the sense of self and its regulatory processes both in dynamic psychology and neuroscience. In this work, we propose that synchrony is a fundamental biobehavioral factor in these dialectical processes between self and others which shapes the brain-body-mind system of the individuals, including their sense of self. Recently in neuroscience, it has been proposed by the research group around Northoff that the self is constituted by a brain-based nested hierarchical three-layer structure, including interoceptive, proprio-exteroceptive, and mental layers of self. This may be disrupted, though, when traumatic experiences occur. Following the three levels of trauma theorized by Mucci, we here suggest how different levels of traumatic experiences might have an enduring effect in yielding a trauma-based topographic and dynamic re-organization of the nested model of self featured by dissociation. In conclusion, we propose that different levels and degrees of traumatic experience are related to corresponding disruptions in the topography and dynamic of the brain-based three-layer hierarchical structure of the self.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scalabrini
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Clara Mucci
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Georg Northoff
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Neural Dynamics, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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36
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Signorelli CM, Boils JD, Tagliazucchi E, Jarraya B, Deco G. From Brain-Body Function to Conscious Interactions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104833. [PMID: 36037978 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we discuss empirical results inspiring the introduction of a formal mathematical multilayer model for the biological neuroscience of conscious experience. First, we motivate the discussion through evidence regarding the dynamic brain. Second, we review different brain-body couplings associated with conscious experience and its potential role in driving brain dynamics. Third, we introduce the machinery of multilayer networks to account for several types of interactions in brain-body systems. Then, a multilayer structure consists of two main generalizations: a formal semantic to study biological systems, and an integrative account for several signatures and models of consciousness. Finally, under this framework, we define composition of layers to account for entangled features of brain-body systems related to conscious experience. As such, a multilayer mathematical framework is highly integrative and thus may be more complete than other models. In this short review, we discuss a variety of empirical results inspiring the introduction of a formal mathematical multilayer model for the biological neuroscience of conscious experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Miguel Signorelli
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, 7 Parks Rd, OxfordOX1 3QG, United Kingdom; Physiology of Cognition, GIGA-CRC In Vivo Imaging, Allée du 6 Août, 8 (B30), 4000 Sart Tilman, University of Liège, Belgium; Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin center, 91191 Gif/Yvette, France; Computational Neuroscience Group, Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Díaz Boils
- Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avda La Paz, 137, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Enzo Tagliazucchi
- Physics Department, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bechir Jarraya
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin center, 91191 Gif/Yvette, France
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Computational Neuroscience Group, Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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37
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Zhang H, Yang S, Qiao Y, Ge Q, Tang Y, Northoff G, Zang Y. Default mode network mediates low-frequency fluctuations in brain activity and behavior during sustained attention. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:5478-5489. [PMID: 35903957 PMCID: PMC9704793 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The low-frequency (<0.1 Hz) fluctuation in sustained attention attracts enormous interest in cognitive neuroscience and clinical research since it always leads to cognitive and behavioral lapses. What is the source of the spontaneous fluctuation in sustained attention in neural activity, and how does the neural fluctuation relate to behavioral fluctuation? Here, we address these questions by collecting and analyzing two independent fMRI and behavior datasets. We show that the neural (fMRI) fluctuation in a key brain network, the default-mode network (DMN), mediate behavioral (reaction time) fluctuation during sustained attention. DMN shows the increased amplitude of fluctuation, which correlates with the behavioral fluctuation in a similar frequency range (0.01-0.1 Hz) but not in the lower (<0.01 Hz) or higher (>0.1 Hz) frequency range. This was observed during both auditory and visual sustained attention and was replicable across independent datasets. These results provide a novel insight into the neural source of attention-fluctuation and extend the former concept that DMN was deactivated in cognitive tasks. More generally, our findings highlight the temporal dynamic of the brain-behavior relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhang
- Centre for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Shi‐You Yang
- Centre for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Yang Qiao
- Centre for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Qiu Ge
- Centre for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Yi‐Yuan Tang
- College of Health SolutionsArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | - Georg Northoff
- Centre for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Institute of Mental Health ResearchUniversity of OttawaOttawaCanada
| | - Yu‐Feng Zang
- Centre for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentHangzhouZhejiangChina
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38
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Marchetti G. The why of the phenomenal aspect of consciousness: Its main functions and the mechanisms underpinning it. Front Psychol 2022; 13:913309. [PMID: 35967722 PMCID: PMC9368316 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.913309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
What distinguishes conscious information processing from other kinds of information processing is its phenomenal aspect (PAC), the-what-it-is-like for an agent to experience something. The PAC supplies the agent with a sense of self, and informs the agent on how its self is affected by the agent’s own operations. The PAC originates from the activity that attention performs to detect the state of what I define “the self” (S). S is centered and develops on a hierarchy of innate and acquired values, and is primarily expressed via the central and peripheral nervous systems; it maps the agent’s body and cognitive capacities, and its interactions with the environment. The detection of the state of S by attention modulates the energy level of the organ of attention (OA), i.e., the neural substrate that underpins attention. This modulation generates the PAC. The PAC can be qualified according to five dimensions: qualitative, quantitative, hedonic, temporal and spatial. Each dimension can be traced back to a specific feature of the modulation of the energy level of the OA.
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39
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Skipper JI. A voice without a mouth no more: The neurobiology of language and consciousness. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 140:104772. [PMID: 35835286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Most research on the neurobiology of language ignores consciousness and vice versa. Here, language, with an emphasis on inner speech, is hypothesised to generate and sustain self-awareness, i.e., higher-order consciousness. Converging evidence supporting this hypothesis is reviewed. To account for these findings, a 'HOLISTIC' model of neurobiology of language, inner speech, and consciousness is proposed. It involves a 'core' set of inner speech production regions that initiate the experience of feeling and hearing words. These take on affective qualities, deriving from activation of associated sensory, motor, and emotional representations, involving a largely unconscious dynamic 'periphery', distributed throughout the whole brain. Responding to those words forms the basis for sustained network activity, involving 'default mode' activation and prefrontal and thalamic/brainstem selection of contextually relevant responses. Evidence for the model is reviewed, supporting neuroimaging meta-analyses conducted, and comparisons with other theories of consciousness made. The HOLISTIC model constitutes a more parsimonious and complete account of the 'neural correlates of consciousness' that has implications for a mechanistic account of mental health and wellbeing.
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40
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Djebbara Z, Jensen OB, Parada FJ, Gramann K. Neuroscience and architecture: Modulating behavior through sensorimotor responses to the built environment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104715. [PMID: 35654280 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
As we move through the world, natural and built environments implicitly guide behavior by appealing to certain sensory and motor dynamics. This process can be motivated by automatic attention to environmental features that resonate with specific sensorimotor responses. This review aims at providing a psychobiological framework describing how environmental features can lead to automated sensorimotor responses through defined neurophysiological mechanisms underlying attention. Through the use of automated processes in subsets of cortical structures, the goal of this framework is to describe on a neuronal level the functional link between the designed environment and sensorimotor responses. By distinguishing between environmental features and sensorimotor responses we elaborate on how automatic behavior employs the environment for sensorimotor adaptation. This is realized through a thalamo-cortical network integrating environmental features with motor aspects of behavior. We highlight the underlying transthalamic transmission from an Enactive and predictive perspective and review recent studies that effectively modulated behavior by systematically manipulating environmental features. We end by suggesting a promising combination of neuroimaging and computational analysis for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakaria Djebbara
- Department of Architecture, Design, Media, and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Biopsychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ole B Jensen
- Department of Architecture, Design, Media, and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Francisco J Parada
- Centro de Estudios en Neurociencia Humana y Neuropsicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Klaus Gramann
- Biopsychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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41
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Northoff G, Fraser M, Griffiths J, Pinotsis DA, Panangaden P, Moran R, Friston K. Augmenting Human Selves Through Artificial Agents – Lessons From the Brain. Front Comput Neurosci 2022; 16:892354. [PMID: 35814345 PMCID: PMC9260143 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2022.892354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Much of current artificial intelligence (AI) and the drive toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) focuses on developing machines for functional tasks that humans accomplish. These may be narrowly specified tasks as in AI, or more general tasks as in AGI – but typically these tasks do not target higher-level human cognitive abilities, such as consciousness or morality; these are left to the realm of so-called “strong AI” or “artificial consciousness.” In this paper, we focus on how a machine can augment humans rather than do what they do, and we extend this beyond AGI-style tasks to augmenting peculiarly personal human capacities, such as wellbeing and morality. We base this proposal on associating such capacities with the “self,” which we define as the “environment-agent nexus”; namely, a fine-tuned interaction of brain with environment in all its relevant variables. We consider richly adaptive architectures that have the potential to implement this interaction by taking lessons from the brain. In particular, we suggest conjoining the free energy principle (FEP) with the dynamic temporo-spatial (TSD) view of neuro-mental processes. Our proposed integration of FEP and TSD – in the implementation of artificial agents – offers a novel, expressive, and explainable way for artificial agents to adapt to different environmental contexts. The targeted applications are broad: from adaptive intelligence augmenting agents (IA’s) that assist psychiatric self-regulation to environmental disaster prediction and personal assistants. This reflects the central role of the mind and moral decision-making in most of what we do as humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Northoff
- Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maia Fraser
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Maia Fraser,
| | - John Griffiths
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dimitris A. Pinotsis
- Centre for Mathematical Neuroscience and Psychology, Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Prakash Panangaden
- Department of Computer Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA)., Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rosalyn Moran
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karl Friston
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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42
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Iglesias-Tejedor M, Díez Á, Llorca-Bofí V, Núñez P, Castaño-Díaz C, Bote B, Segarra R, Sanz-Fuentenebro J, Molina V. Relation between EEG resting-state power and modulation of P300 task-related activity in theta band in schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 116:110541. [PMID: 35218880 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
There is some consistency in previous EEG findings that patients with schizophrenia have increased resting-state cortical activity. Furthermore, in previous work, we have provided evidence that there is a deficit in the modulation of bioelectrical activity during the performance of a P300 task in schizophrenia. Our hypothesis here is that a basal hyperactivation would be related with altered ability to change or modulate cortical activity during a cognitive task. However, no study so far, to the best of our knowledge, has studied the association between resting-state activity and task-related modulation. With this aim, we used a dual EEG paradigm (resting state and oddball task for elicitation of the P300 evoked potential) in a sample of patients with schizophrenia (n = 100), which included a subgroup of patients with first episode psychosis (n = 30), as well as a group of healthy controls (n = 93). The study measures were absolute power for resting-state; and spectral entropy (SE) and connectivity strength (CS) for P300-task data, whose modulation had been previously found to be altered in schizophrenia. Following the literature on P300, we focused our study on the theta frequency band. As expected, our results showed an increase in resting state activity and altered task-related modulation. Moreover, we found an inverse relationship between the amount of resting-state activity and modulation of task-related activity. Our results confirm our hypothesis and support the idea that a greater amount of resting theta-band synchrony could hamper the modulation of signal regularity (quantified by SE) and activity density (measured by CS) during the P300 task performance. This association was found in both patients and controls, suggesting the existence of a common mechanism and a possible ceiling effect in schizophrenia patients in relation to a decreased inhibitory function that limits their cortical reactivity to the task.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Iglesias-Tejedor
- Clinical Neurophysiology Service, Clinical University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Álvaro Díez
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Vicent Llorca-Bofí
- Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitari Santa Maria, Lleida, Spain.
| | - Pablo Núñez
- Biomedical Engineering Group, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
| | | | - Berta Bote
- Psychiatry Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Rafael Segarra
- Psychiatry Service, Cruces Hospital, Biocruces-Bizkaia, Bilbao, Spain.
| | | | - Vicente Molina
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain; Psychiatry Service, University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain; Neuroscience Institute of Castilla y León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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43
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Northoff G, Vatansever D, Scalabrini A, Stamatakis EA. Ongoing Brain Activity and Its Role in Cognition: Dual versus Baseline Models. Neuroscientist 2022:10738584221081752. [PMID: 35611670 DOI: 10.1177/10738584221081752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
What is the role of the brain's ongoing activity for cognition? The predominant perspectives associate ongoing brain activity with resting state, the default-mode network (DMN), and internally oriented mentation. This triad is often contrasted with task states, non-DMN brain networks, and externally oriented mentation, together comprising a "dual model" of brain and cognition. In opposition to this duality, however, we propose that ongoing brain activity serves as a neuronal baseline; this builds upon Raichle's original search for the default mode of brain function that extended beyond the canonical default-mode brain regions. That entails what we refer to as the "baseline model." Akin to an internal biological clock for the rest of the organism, the ongoing brain activity may serve as an internal point of reference or standard by providing a shared neural code for the brain's rest as well as task states, including their associated cognition. Such shared neural code is manifest in the spatiotemporal organization of the brain's ongoing activity, including its global signal topography and dynamics like intrinsic neural timescales. We conclude that recent empirical evidence supports a baseline model over the dual model; the ongoing activity provides a global shared neural code that allows integrating the brain's rest and task states, its DMN and non-DMN, and internally and externally oriented cognition.
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Abstract
The brain’s ability to create a unified conscious representation of an object by integrating information from multiple perception pathways is called perceptual binding. Binding is crucial for normal cognitive function. Some perceptual binding errors and disorders have been linked to certain neurological conditions, brain lesions, and conditions that give rise to illusory conjunctions. However, the mechanism of perceptual binding remains elusive. Here, I present a computational model of binding using two sets of coupled oscillatory processes that are assumed to occur in response to two different percepts. I use the model to study the dynamic behavior of coupled processes to characterize how these processes can modulate each other and reach a temporal synchrony. I identify different oscillatory dynamic regimes that depend on coupling mechanisms and parameter values. The model can also discriminate different combinations of initial inputs that are set by initial states of coupled processes. Decoding brain signals that are formed through perceptual binding is a challenging task, but my modeling results demonstrate how crosstalk between two systems of processes can possibly modulate their outputs. Therefore, my mechanistic model can help one gain a better understanding of how crosstalk between perception pathways can affect the dynamic behavior of the systems that involve perceptual binding.
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45
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Chan A, Northoff G, Karasik R, Ouyang J, Williams K. Flights and Perchings of the BrainMind: A Temporospatial Approach to Psychotherapy. Front Psychol 2022; 13:828035. [PMID: 35444594 PMCID: PMC9014955 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.828035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This article introduces a process-oriented approach for improving present moment conceptualization in psychotherapy that is in alignment with neuroscience: the Temporospatial movements of mind (TSMM) model. We elaborate on seven temporal movements that describe the moment-to-moment morphogenesis of emotional feelings and thoughts from inception to maturity. Temporal refers to the passage of time through which feelings and thoughts develop, and electromagnetic activity, that among other responsibilities, bind information across time. Spatial dynamics extend from an undifferentiated to three dimensional experiences of emotional and cognitive processes. Neurophysiologically, spatial refers to structures within the brain and their varying interactions with one another. This article culminates in the development of an atheoretical temporospatial grid that may help clinicians conceptualize where patients are in their cognitive and emotional development to further guide technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldrich Chan
- Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, United States
- Center for Neuropsychology and Consciousness, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Aldrich Chan,
| | - Georg Northoff
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Neural Dynamics, The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ryan Karasik
- Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, United States
- Center for Neuropsychology and Consciousness, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jason Ouyang
- Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, United States
- Center for Neuropsychology and Consciousness, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Kathryn Williams
- Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, United States
- Center for Neuropsychology and Consciousness, Miami, FL, United States
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46
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Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Melosini L, Menicucci D, Gemignani A. Neural Correlates of Non-ordinary States of Consciousness in Pranayama Practitioners: The Role of Slow Nasal Breathing. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:803904. [PMID: 35387390 PMCID: PMC8977447 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.803904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The modulatory effect of nasal respiration on integrative brain functions and hence consciousness has recently been unambiguously demonstrated. This effect is sustained by the olfactory epithelium mechanical sensitivity complemented by the existence of massive projections between the olfactory bulb and the prefrontal cortex. However, studies on slow nasal breathing (SNB) in the context of contemplative practices have sustained the fundamental role of respiratory vagal stimulation, with little attention to the contribution of the olfactory epithelium mechanical stimulation. This study aims at disentangling the effects of olfactory epithelium stimulation (proper of nasal breathing) from those related to respiratory vagal stimulation (common to slow nasal and mouth breathing). We investigated the psychophysiological (cardio-respiratory and electroencephalographic parameters) and phenomenological (perceived state of consciousness) aftereffects of SNB (epithelium mechanical – 2.5 breaths/min) in 12 experienced meditators. We compared the nasal breathing aftereffects with those observed after a session of mouth breathing at the same respiratory rate and with those related to a resting state condition. SNB induced (1) slowing of electroencephalography (EEG) activities (delta-theta bands) in prefrontal regions, (2) a widespread increase of theta and high-beta connectivity complemented by an increase of phase-amplitude coupling between the two bands in prefrontal and posterior regions belonging to the Default Mode Network, (3) an increase of high-beta networks small-worldness. (4) a higher perception of being in a non-ordinary state of consciousness. The emerging scenario strongly suggests that the effects of SNB, beyond the relative contribution of vagal stimulation, are mainly ascribable to olfactory epithelium stimulation. In conclusion, slow Pranayama breathing modulates brain activity and hence subjective experience up to the point of inducing a non-ordinary state of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Zaccaro
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Piarulli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Giga Consciousness, Coma Science Group, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Andrea Piarulli,
| | - Lorenza Melosini
- Pneumology Branch, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Danilo Menicucci
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelo Gemignani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Clinical Psychology Branch, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
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47
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Coppola P, Spindler LRB, Luppi AI, Adapa R, Naci L, Allanson J, Finoia P, Williams GB, Pickard JD, Owen AM, Menon DK, Stamatakis EA. Network dynamics scale with levels of awareness. Neuroimage 2022; 254:119128. [PMID: 35331869 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Small world topologies are thought to provide a valuable insight into human brain organisation and consciousness. However, functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in consciousness have not yielded consistent results. Given the importance of dynamics for both consciousness and cognition, here we investigate how the diversity of small world dynamics (quantified by sample entropy; dSW-E1) scales with decreasing levels of awareness (i.e., sedation and disorders of consciousness). Paying particular attention to result reproducibility, we show that dSW-E is a consistent predictor of levels of awareness even when controlling for the underlying functional connectivity dynamics. We find that dSW-E of subcortical and cortical areas are predictive, with the former showing higher and more robust effect sizes across analyses. We find that the network dynamics of intermodular communication in the cerebellum also have unique predictive power for levels of awareness. Consequently, we propose that the dynamic reorganisation of the functional information architecture, in particular of the subcortex, is a characteristic that emerges with awareness and has explanatory power beyond that of the complexity of dynamic functional connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Coppola
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Lennart R B Spindler
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Andrea I Luppi
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Ram Adapa
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Division of Neurosurgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Lorina Naci
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Lloyd Building, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Judith Allanson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation, Hills Rd., Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Paola Finoia
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Division of Neurosurgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Guy B Williams
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus (Box 65), Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - John D Pickard
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Division of Neurosurgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus (Box 65), Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Adrian M Owen
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - David K Menon
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus (Box 65), Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Emmanuel A Stamatakis
- Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
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48
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Northoff G, Smith D. The subjectivity of self and its ontology: From the world–brain relation to the point of view in the world. THEORY & PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09593543221080120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The search for the subjective nature of our self is intensely debated in philosophy and neuroscience. However, despite all progress, the subjectivity of self and how it fits into the seemingly objective world remains elusive. Drawing on recent empirical data, we show how the self is shaped by the brain’s scale-free activity, that is, long-range temporal correlation (LRTC) and the world’s ecological context. We assume that the scale-free LRTC of the world–brain relation provides the ontological basis for the point of view as the foundation of subjectivity within the world. We conclude that the temporal, that is, scale-free based point of view through the world–brain relation provides the ontologically necessary a posteriori condition for the subjectivity of self on a deeper neuro-ecological level. This extends phenomenological concepts like subjectivity and world beyond both Heidegger’s fundamental ontology and Sartre’s phenomenological ontology: it complements their subjectivity-based ontologies with a truly world-based ontology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Northoff
- University of Ottawa
- Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre and University of Ottawa
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Hangzhou Normal University
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49
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Almeida VN. The neural hierarchy of consciousness. Neuropsychologia 2022; 169:108202. [PMID: 35271856 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The chief undertaking in the studies of consciousness is that of unravelling "the minimal set of neural processes that are together sufficient for the conscious experience of a particular content - the neural correlates of consciousness". To this day, this crusade remains at an impasse, with a clash of two main theories: consciousness may arise either in a graded and cortically-localised fashion, or in an all-or-none and widespread one. In spite of the long-lasting theoretical debates, neurophysiological theories of consciousness have been mostly dissociated from them. Herein, a theoretical review will be put forth with the aim to change that. In its first half, we will cover the hard available evidence on the neurophysiology of consciousness, whereas in its second half we will weave a series of considerations on both theories and substantiate a novel take on conscious awareness: the levels of processing approach, partitioning the conscious architecture into lower- and higher-order, graded and nonlinear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor N Almeida
- Faculdade de Letras, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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50
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Hua J, Wolff A, Zhang J, Yao L, Zang Y, Luo J, Ge X, Liu C, Northoff G. Alpha and theta peak frequency track on- and off-thoughts. Commun Biol 2022; 5:209. [PMID: 35256748 PMCID: PMC8901672 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03146-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Our thoughts are highly dynamic in their contents. At some points, our thoughts are related to external stimuli or tasks focusing on single content (on-single thoughts), While in other moments, they are drifting away with multiple simultaneous items as contents (off-multiple thoughts). Can such thought dynamics be tracked by corresponding neurodynamics? To address this question, here we track thought dynamics during post-stimulus periods by electroencephalogram (EEG) neurodynamics of alpha and theta peak frequency which, as based on the phase angle, must be distinguished from non-phase-based alpha and theta power. We show how, on the psychological level, on-off thoughts are highly predictive of single-multiple thought contents, respectively. Using EEG, on-single and off-multiple thoughts are mediated by opposite changes in the time courses of alpha (high in on-single but low in off-multiple thoughts) and theta (low in on-single but high in off-multiple thoughts) peak frequencies. In contrast, they cannot be distinguished by frequency power. Overall, these findings provide insight into how alpha and theta peak frequency with their phase-related processes track on- and off-thoughts dynamically. In short, neurodynamics track thought dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Hua
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Annemarie Wolff
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jianfeng Zhang
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin Yao
- Department of Neurobiology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, and the MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yufeng Zang
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,TMS center, Deqing Hospital of Hangzhou Normal university, Deqing 313200, China
| | - Jing Luo
- School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xianliang Ge
- Center for Psychological Sciences at Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Georg Northoff
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. .,Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. .,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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