The neural subjective frame: from bodily signals to perceptual consciousness.

Visual consciousness is often defined by reports like 'I saw the stimulus,' but the origin of the 'I' remains unexplained. To address the subjective dimension of perceptual experience, a concept called the neural subjective frame is introduced. This frame is based on constantly updated neural maps of the body's internal state, creating a neural reference point for first-person experience. It is proposed to be rooted in neural representations of visceral information transmitted via multiple pathways to brain regions including the posterior insula, ventral anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and somatosensory cortex. Existing evidence shows that external stimulus processing can interact with visceral function.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The report 'I saw the stimulus' operationally defines visual consciousness, but where does the 'I' come from? To account for the subjective dimension of perceptual experience, we introduce the concept of the neural subjective frame. The neural subjective frame would be based on the constantly updated neural maps of the internal state of the body and constitute a neural referential from which first person experience can be created. We propose to root the neural subjective frame in the neural representation of visceral information which is transmitted through multiple anatomical pathways to a number of target sites, including posterior insula, ventral anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala and somatosensory cortex. We review existing experimental evidence showing that the processing of external stimuli can interact with visceral function. The neural subjective frame is a low-level building block of subjective experience which is not explicitly experienced by itself which is necessary but not sufficient for perceptual experience. It could also underlie other types of subjective experiences such as self-consciousness and emotional feelings. Because the neural subjective frame is tightly linked to homeostatic regulations involved in vigilance, it could also make a link between state and content consciousness.