Beyond the neocortex: Pallial routes to the edge of sentience
Animal Sentience October 29, 2026 DOI: 10.51291/2377-7478.1965 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the sentience candidacy of fishes and reptiles should be untethered from midbrain-centric theories of human consciousness, proposing instead that the mammalian neocortex may be sufficiently similar to the combined pallium and midbrain of fishes and reptiles, and that an evolutionary perspective could set new research priorities. |
Abstract
In The Edge of Sentience, the sentience candidacy of fishes and reptiles is strengthened if one accepts midbrain-centric theories of human consciousness. In this commentary I attempt to untether the two positions. I suggest that we need not look for a one-to-one match between the neocortex and a single pallial structure outside of mammals. Instead, a sufficient similarity might exist between the mammalian neocortex and the combination of pallium and midbrain in fishes and reptiles. Adopting an evolutionary perspective in the study of vertebrate brains could point to new investigation priorities in human and animal research.