This review describes how advanced functional neuroimaging, especially FDG PET, has been used to study the neural basis of consciousness across a range of states: waking awareness, sleep, anesthesia, and conditions like seizures and schizophrenia. It presents key findings from these investigations and discusses the methodological limitations and conceptual challenges inherent in using neuroimaging to study consciousness.
Advanced neuroimaging studies have examined consciousness across normal waking, sleep, anesthesia, and disorders like seizures or schizophrenia, as well as altered states induced by meditation or psychoactive substances. This review discusses relevant research and highlights limitations and challenges in studying consciousness with PET, SPECT, and advanced MRI modalities.