Where is consciousness born? Unpublished study challenges the dominant theories about the human brain
A research suggests that consciousness is more linked to the background areas of the brain, responsible for sensory processing, rather than the frontal areas of intelligence and decision -making.
Sean Gladwell
Consciousness – this concept of attending, watching, listening and feeling – is one of the great secrets of science. A seven -year -old study with more than 250 participants gives new light on this problem and challenges two major theories about where and how in the brain.
The consciousness is in the center of human experience. It allows you to see and hear, imagine to tain and dream of dreaming, happiness or pain, fear or love. But where, exactly, this phenomenon has emerged The brain? This is a neuron scientist and clinical conspiracy for decades.
For seven years, researchers from the United States, Europe and China have analyzed the brain activities of 256 volunteers, who observed images and objects. They have collected a variety of data: electrical and magnetic activities, blood flow and neuronal communication designs.
The goal Realize which brain areas are associated with conscious experience.
Consciousness may not be where it is expected
The study reveals that there may not be a source of consciousness The front areas of the brain – intelligence, logical and deciding – but Z.Onus The latter is responsible for sensory processing, such as vision and hearing.
“Data clearly refers to the posterior cortex. We have not found signs of consciousness in the front of the brain, or the signs are much weaker than the back,” Neuro Scientist Christof Coach explainedFrom the Allen Institute of Seattle, one of the study writers.
In other words, About intelligence, consciousness is the presence of consciousness.
Two theories in the confrontation – and none won
This study directly encountered two major scientific theories about the origin of consciousness:
Global Neuranal Working Theory (GNWT): Arguments arguing that mobility originates in the front areas of the brain, where the relevant information is widely distributed and access to other brain areas.
Integrated Information Theory (IIT): Consciousness comes from integration of information between different parts of the brain, forming a consolidated network that creats conscious experience.
The team recognizes the functional connection between the visual (later) and the front areas, which shows how it is associated with the idea. However, none of theories are clearly verified: there is no permanent connections in the back of the brain to support IIT, or constant signs in the front to support GNWT.
“It is clear that no discrete experience is decisively rejected. They begin from different UMP hala and the current techniques are still limited to producing a resolution. However, we learn a lot about both theories – and in the brain, the visual experience can decoded, where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where and where. Said Anil SethSpecialist in Neuroscience at Sussex University.
Clinical and moral apps
There are practical implications in this progress in understanding consciousness Komas or vegetable states and disorders of consciousness and Helps in identifying Cases of secret or hidden perception After severe brain injuries, although awake, in people who cannot communicate. Such cases occur, for example, affecting one -fourth of vegetarian states or long -lasting camps and four -quarters of patientsInvestigations published in the New England Journal of Medicine last year.
“If a patient is in this position for several days without signs of recovering, it begins to discuss with the family about the suspension of life -handling treatments. Knowing where to look for consciousness signs in the brain can change critical decisions. Although he cannot show it,” he may not show that “he cannot show that” he cannot show “” “ Cook Refer.
