Searching in the wrong place: Might consciousness reside in the brainstem?
Marshall Devor, Mary Koukoui, Mark Baron
The Behavioral and brain sciences March 23, 2022 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x21001928 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe conscious brain integrates vast amounts of information, but claiming that consciousness simply emerges from accumulated information fails to explain how first-person experience is implemented by neurons. Empirical observations challenge integrated information theory's (IIT) reliance on thalamo-cortical interactions as the information integrator. Instead, the cortex likely streams processed information to a still-enigmatic consciousness generator, possibly located in the brainstem.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that consciousness is not explained by emergence or integrated information theory's thalamo-cortical focus, and proposes a brainstem-based consciousness generator. |
Abstract
Doubtless, the conscious brain integrates masses of information. But declaring that consciousness simply "emerges" when enough has accumulated, doesn't really explain how first person experience is implemented by neurons. Moreover, empirical observations challenge integrated information theory's (IIT) reliance on thalamo-cortical interactions as the information integrator. More likely, the cortex streams processed information to a still-enigmatic consciousness generator, one perhaps located in the brainstem.