Structural Neural Theory: A Systematic Comparison with the Four Major Theories of Consciousness
Figshare June 7, 2026 Xingrui Wang
A new theory called Structural Neural Theory (SNT) proposes that consciousness is the operation of a specific self-referential feedback circuit in the brain, the Loop, involving the PCC, mPFC/ACC, and cingulum bundle. The paper compares SNT with four leading theories of consciousness: Global Workspace Theory, Integrated Information Theory, Higher-Order Thought Theory, and Predictive Processing. It argues that each of these theories captures only one aspect of the Loop's operation, whereas SNT can independently derive all their core predictions from its own physical premises and generate additional testable predictions they cannot explain.