How do the brain's time and space mediate consciousness and its different dimensions? Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC).
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews September 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.07.013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Consciousness Cross-frequency coupling Frequency nestedness Infra-slow fluctuations Pre-stimulus activity Qualia Scale-free Small-world Space Spontaneous activity Time |
| Citations | 235 |
| Key points | Proposes that four temporo-spatial mechanisms of brain activity—nestedness, alignment, expansion, and globalization—correspond to different dimensions of consciousness. |
Abstract
Time and space are the basic building blocks of nature. As a unique existent in nature, our brain exists in time and takes up space. The brain's activity itself also constitutes and spreads in its own (intrinsic) time and space that is crucial for consciousness. Consciousness is a complex phenomenon including different dimensions: level/state, content/form, phenomenal aspects, and cognitive features. We propose a Temporo-spatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC) focusing primarily on the temporal and spatial features of the brain activity. We postulate four different neuronal mechanisms accounting for the different dimensions of consciousness: (i) "temporo-spatial nestedness" of the spontaneous activity accounts for the level/state of consciousness as neural predisposition of consciousness (NPC); (ii) "temporo-spatial alignment" of the pre-stimulus activity accounts for the content/form of consciousness as neural prerequisite of consciousness (preNCC); (iii) "temporo-spatial expansion" of early stimulus-induced activity accounts for phenomenal consciousness as neural correlates of consciousness (NCC); (iv) "temporo-spatial globalization" of late stimulus-induced activity accounts for the cognitive features of consciousness as neural consequence of consciousness (NCCcon).