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Multimodal Integration and Phenomenal Spatiotemporal Binding: A Perspective From the Default Space Theory.

Ravinder Jerath, Connor Beveridge

Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience February 5, 2019 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2019.00002 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Philosophy of mind
Keywords Oscillations Consciousness Binding problem Neural synchronization Metastable Multimodal integration Default space
Key points Argues that consciousness arises from a metastable synchronization of local neural computations into global coherence, mediated by widespread slow and ultraslow oscillations coordinated by the thalamus, as part of the Default Space Theory. The authors further contend that a spatiotemporal matrix underlies phenomenological experience and is directly tied to the nervous system's bioelectric operations.

Abstract

How does the integrated and unified conscious experience arise from the vastly distributed activities of the nervous system? How is the information from the many cones of the retina bound with information coming from the cochlea to create the association of sounds with objects in visual space? In this perspective article, we assert a novel viewpoint on the "binding problem" in which we explain a metastable operation of the brain and body that may provide insight into this problem. In our view which is a component of the Default Space Theory (DST), consciousness arises from a metastable synchronization of local computations into a global coherence by a framework of widespread slow and ultraslow oscillations coordinated by the thalamus. We reinforce a notion shared by some consciousness researchers such as Revonsuo and the Fingelkurts that a spatiotemporal matrix is the foundation of phenomenological experience and that this phenomenology is directly tied to bioelectric operations of the nervous system. Through the oscillatory binding system we describe, cognitive neuroscientists may be able to more accurately correlate bioelectric activity of the brain and body with the phenomenology of human experience.

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