The thalamic dynamic core theory of conscious experience.
Consciousness and Cognition February 23, 2011 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2011.01.007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Thalamus Cerebral cortex Neural pathways Humans Persistent vegetative state Cortical synchronization Consciousness Attention Models, neurological |
| Key points | Proposes that primary conscious awareness arises from synchronized dendritic activity in dorsal thalamic nuclei, mediated by inhibitory interactions with thalamic reticular neurons, and argues this model is supported by four evidential pillars concerning cortical computation, vegetative state and anesthetic action, thalamic anatomy and physiology, and neural synchronization as a correlate of consciousness. |
Abstract
I propose that primary conscious awareness arises from synchronized activity in dendrites of neurons in dorsal thalamic nuclei, mediated particularly by inhibitory interactions with thalamic reticular neurons. In support, I offer four evidential pillars: (1) consciousness is restricted to the results of cortical computations; (2) thalamus is the common locus of action of brain injury in vegetative state and of general anesthetics; (3) the anatomy and physiology of the thalamus imply a central role in consciousness; (4) neural synchronization is a neural correlate of consciousness.
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