Subjective Experience in Alzheimer's Disease
PsyArXiv August 15, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/crw45 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that subjective experience in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias can be studied with rigorous psychophysical methods, borrowing approaches from visual awareness research on blindsight, and that understanding neural correlates of perceptual consciousness in association cortex may be relevant. Recommends avoiding current 'theories' of consciousness as too premature and speculative for this purpose. |
Abstract
Here I discuss how to study subjective experiences in Alzheimer’s Disease and the related dementias (AD/ADRD), using the rigorous methods of psychophysics. We will borrow some ideas from studies of visual awareness, specifically regarding how impoverished subjective experience is characterized in blindsight patients. I also discuss how understanding the neural correlates of perceptual consciousness, especially those in the association cortex (prefrontal and parietal), may be relevant. I end with the recommendation to stay clear from current ‘theories’ of consciousness; they are interesting but too premature and speculative for our purpose at the moment.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Understanding the Higher-Order Approach to Consciousness. Trends in Cognitive Sciences September 1, 2019
- Should a Few Null Findings Falsify Prefrontal Theories of Conscious Perception? Journal of Neuroscience October 4, 2017
- Awareness-related activity in prefrontal and parietal cortices in blindsight reflects more than superior visual performance. Neuroimage September 15, 2011